The Nike Rise Legacy Night’s all-star exhibition provided basketball fans with a unique opportunity to see Philippine hoops’ finest stars of different generations sharing the court at the same time.
Legends Alvin Patrimonio, Benjie Paras, Alvin Teng, Allan Caidic, Olsen Racela, and Bong Ravena were among those who formed Team Legacy which battled Team Destiny, a squad composed of the future stars of the nation like Thirdy Ravena and Kobe Paras, along with former collegiate top guns RR Garcia, Nico Salva, Jeff Chan, Jeron and Jeric Teng, and more.
The exhibition match featured fun and excitement, from Alvin Teng hitting a three to Thirdy Ravena dishing a lob pass to Kobe Paras for a slam to Allan Caidic and Renren Ritualo ruling the three-point shootout to Benjie Paras’ showcase of post moves which never runs out of style.
Destiny won, 121-109. It was a happy moment for Philippine basketball, and more importantly a glimpse of what is to come for the nation as far as basketball is concerned.
Many-time PBA Most Valuable Player Alvin Patrimonio said the momentous event was a symbolic way of saying they are “passing the baton to the younger generation.”
“Nakaka-inspire. Alam naman natin they are destined for more greatness. We are just here to support them,” Patrimonio remarked on Team Destiny and the Rise athletes.
Asked about UCLA-commit Kobe Paras, Patrimonio had high remarks about the freakishly-athletic 6-foot-6 wing man.
“Future. Grabe yung bata. Laki ng improvement from the last time I saw him. Iba talaga kapag superb ang training. Andito lang kami, just hoping for his success. Just keep on working hard. I am sure malayo mararating ng bata,” he said.
PBA single-game scoring record holder Allan Caidic added: “Malaki pa ang upside niya. I can see a big improvement in his shooting. He was more of slasher the last time I saw him but now may three-points na. He has gained a lot of weight and nagka-kumpiyansa so it is good for him.”
PBA’s only Rookie-MVP Benjie Paras meanwhile cherished the rare opportunity to play with his son, and is happy to be part of such event.
“Masaya dahil nakasama namin ang mga anak namin and nabigyan namin ng saya yung mga nanonood,” he shared.
“The last time ko siya nakalaro is bago siya naka-alis, so matagal pa ulit bago ko siya nakalaro.”
While it was an exhibition match, the all-star game also provided a review of the differences between how basketball is played now, compared to the past.
The elder Paras said modern-day frontcourt players are getting more and more versatile, and it is a good thing for the country.
“Iba, kasi masyado nang scientific ang basketball ngayon, marami nang nadagdag and yung training, iba na. Yun ang maganda roon,” he said.
Patrimonio added: “Ang bibilis. They are quick and yung athleticism nila, grabe.”
Caidic said such change is “a good thing for Philippine basketball” but also hopes the present and future generations of basketball talents keep on honing their craft.
“You can see there is more athleticism, power, and strength. Just keep on improving and don’t be contented in what they have achieved. Nag-uumpisa pa lang sila. To reach their goals, they have to work hard,” he said.
“Yung younger guys are getting taller and quicker. But the other neighboring countries are improving too so dapat hindi makuntento ang homegrown talents natin and they should keep striving.”
