ANTIPOLO — When it comes to fulfilling one’s dreams, a person needs to sacrifice many things, such as quality time with his close friends and family.
University of Santo Tomas rookie Mark Nonoy is no different. The Sports Management student-cager has invested plenty in his pursuit of excellence in the sport of basketball, even moving far away from his parents, who reside in their home province of Negros Occidental.
“Siyempre parang malungkot din, pero no choise kasi ito din ‘yung pangarap namin,” said Nonoy after he led the Growling Tigers towards an 80-74 win over Adamson, Saturday night, in their final elimination round game of the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
“Ito ‘yung future na na-ano sa amin, so kailangan namin i-sacrifice ‘yung time kasama mga family and friends.”
Being away from family to manifest destiny is a difficult endeavor for anyone, especially a 19-year-old kid trying to make a name for himself in the cutthroat world of Philippine college basketball. But all this distance from his mother and father simply drives Nonoy to be better than yesterday.
“Malungkot kasi nasa province ‘yung parents ko and ako, nag-te-training dito. Pero hindi naman ito nagiging hadlang para sa pangarap kong umabot ‘yung career ko sa PBA. Nagiging inspirasyon ko sila,” Nonoy asserted.
Obviously, though, the toll can take an effect on anyone. UST’s neophyte playmaker is not immune to such emotions. Fortunately, he has soldiered on because their love for him has allowed him to push through with everything.
“Siyempre nasa part na din minsan na naiisip mo na susuko ka na lang kasi parang… First, kailangan kasi first (priority ‘yung) family. ‘Yung basketball nandiyan lang.
“Pero ito ‘yung pinili ko, and they support me sa sport ng basketball. Nandiyan sila mag-suporta sa akin. Thankful ako kasi nandiyan sila lagi to support me,” he explained.
It came as no surprise, then, that Nonoy has played inspired basketball recently since his parents had the opportunity to watch him play in person. Meanwhile, his parents can only marvel at their son’s talent as he contributed 17 points alongside eight rebounds and five assists in the Growling Tigers’ latest win.
“Ngayon nandito sila. Nagpa-request ako for last three remaining games ko na manood sila ng live dahil gustong-gusto nila, and buti na lang naging okay sa management namin na papuntahin sila dito. Thankful ako,” he narrated.
With UST just waiting for their competitors’ results to know their post-season fate, Nonoy and his teammates can be proud of what they achieved so far in Season 82. All their sacrifices from the start of pre-season up to this day have yielded something tangible. Still, they are far from content with what they have now.
“Siguro masaya. And makikita mo naman sa mga (ibang) tao din kung gaano sila ka-proud sa team namin, lalong-lalo na ‘yung UST community na super proud sa amin kasi may pinatunayan kami sa kanila. Pero hindi dito nagtatapos ‘yung campaign namin. Dito pa lang kami sa improvement pa lang, pero marami pa kaming papatunayan sa UST community.”
