True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future
Very few people can say that they are content with where they are and what they have right now. But at the age of 39, Willie Miller has found this rare place.
It was a humid Friday morning in Urdaneta Village, Makati City. Philippines-Mighty Sports had just wrapped up their morning practice, so players were around bleachers resting their banged-up bodies after a nearly-three-hour session.
While there were those resting, others were still on the court, doing some extra shooting for a good amount of time. But like any other team, there will always be someone — someone goofy perhaps — that just likes to mess around and have some fun with their colleagues.
And in Mighty Sports’ case, that one in their team is none other than the team’s eldest statesman.
After practice, the two-time PBA MVP was on the court, nailing three-pointers with his son. In between those, he was exchanging jokes and trading fist bumps with his teammates — a clear indication that Miller is enjoying every bit of his stay with Mighty Sports.
“Nakakapagod!” quipped Miller, when asked how his stint has been so far.
“Okay naman. Masaya na nakakasama ko yung mga players na ‘di ko nakakalaro noon. Yung mga imports na bago siyempre, and yung fact na magre-represent ka ng Pilipinas, nakakatuwa.”
After several years, this 2017 marks the first time that Miller returns to competitive basketball, with his last one back in 2016 when he suited up for Pilipinas-MX3 Kings in the ASEAN Basketball League. So when he kidded that practices have been tiring, it was actually half-meant.
“Nakakapagod. Although hindi naman nag-stop yung basketball, puro laro-laro kung saan-saan… So, okay naman,” admitted the four-time PBA champion.
“Nakakatuwa na araw-araw may practice na naman. Yun yung hinahanap ng katawan eh. Nasa conditioning stage ulit.”
Aside from returning to team basketball, Miller’s inclusion to Mighty Sports marks another milestone, as he is back representing the Philippines once more. Miller has played for flag and country since 2005 — highlighted by a stint with Powerade Team Pilipinas back in 2009 — with his last one for ABL team MX3 Kings.
For the Olongapo native, representing his motherland is and will always be nothing but a great, challenging experience.
“Masarap. Ang iniisip ko lang every time na maglalaro ako sa ibang bansa, siyempre yung ni-rerepresent ko Pilipinas.
“Kasi Philippine basketball parati, tapos alam na player ka ng PBA, player ka ng Pilipinas, kaya every time na maglalaro ka iba ineexpect sa’yo. So you have to play okay parati,” Miller explained.
In the entirety of his career, Miller has always been known as a scorer — one proven deadly during crunch time, which has earned him the nickname “The Thriller”. But aside from scoring, Miller has also been known as a playmaker, and that is what he intends to bring to Mighty Sports.
“Madaling umiskor, kaso mananalo ba? Yun ang inano ko sa kanila na if you’ll get me, ‘di ako nandyan para umiskor. Kumbaga andyan ako para ayusin yung team, para buo tayo. Kumbaga facilitator — ako yung taga-salita,” said the nine-time PBA All-Star.
And Miller hopes that his leadership skills and veteran smarts can help Mighty Sports add yet another feather in their cap by winning the title of the 2017 Dubai Invitational Tournament slated this February.
“Mag-champion siyempre,” hoped Miller. “Iba yung feeling na mag-champion ka out of the country tapos Pilipinas yung nirerepresent mo.”
Once his stay with Mighty Sports is up, Miller has his sights set on a new venture, and that is to be a coach someday, since he likes imparting his knowledge of basketball, especially to the younger generation.
“Nag-start na ‘ko ng pagko-coach sa anak ko, mga kaibigan niya. Tapos nag-personal training ako, kasi yung nakakatuwa doon simula dati pa, ‘pag may nakikita akong bata na naglalaro, tinuturuan ko eh. Tapos kino-correct ko ng tama,” Miller explained.
“So siguro nagii-start ako dahan-dahan na as personal coach. Kasi yun rin yung nasa balak ko eh — pagdating ng araw gusto ko mag-coach ng isang team eh, either bata or matanda.”
The four-time PBA champion, as mentioned, is close to reaching 40 years of age. Looking at the way he plays, the legs are still there, though they are not as fresh as before. Asked if he plans to stage a comeback in the pros, Miller shunned the opportunity, saying that he’s already happy with where he is right now.
“Comeback? Pabayaan mo na sa kanila yun. Comeback, comeback. Return of the comeback? Wala yon. Pabayaan mo na sa kanila yun.
“Mas maganda na yung ganito na lang ako. Relax ako, tsaka yung nage-enjoy ako na yung family ko parati kong kasama,” quipped one of the 40 greatest players to ever grace the PBA.
