MGC New Life Christian Academy and Xavier School have been through top-notch high school basketball competition in the Next Generation Basketball League (NGBL) so far.
The two teams, despite still falling short of earning their first wins early in the inaugural season, have been clashing with the country’s best HS clubs from the UAAP and the NCAA, and are getting valuable runs as they prepare for their main leagues.
This, according to New Lifers head coach John Sia, is what matters most for his team especially since they are parading a roster that is composed of boys who are aged from 16 to 17 years old.
“It’s a good experience pa rin. Gusto namin ‘to, na we’re being pushed to our limits while playing sa NGBL,” Sia said of their participation in the league that is presented by URATEX, Jollibee, Strong Group Athletics, and in partnership with JETOUR, World Balance, and Molten as official game ball.
Another factor that keeps the New Lifers coach optimistic is despite their three defeats in as many games coming from blowouts, their losing margin has been on a downward trend, while their scoring output has also been increasing.
“This is a good experience for my kids. Mga bata pa ‘to eh, so at least, matutulungan sila sa goals nila,” he said.
Aside from this, Sia also shared how the NGBL that is supported by Team Rebel Sports Pilipinas as official league outfitter, RICA UPVC Aluminum Glass and Trading Corp., Verleo Catering as official caterer, and Tanduay Athletics, has served as an eye-opener for his team despite already being the champions of the Philippine Ching Yuen Athletic Association (PCYAA)
“Yung physical strength namin, mahina pa yung katawan ng mga players namin compared sa iba. Yung running din mismo ng system namin, marami kaming turnovers, mga passes namin very weak pa, so mostly on the small stuff. Medyo nao-overpower talaga kami,” he explained.
“But it’s really good for our team na ma-experience ‘to. Gaya nga ng sinabi ko, mas maganda talaga na ma-experience na namin ‘to para makita na namin yung goals pa namin,” he furthered, while also emphasizing how they must not remain contented despite the exposure that they are getting upon their return to the PCYAA in January.
“Sana manalo ulit kami, kasi ‘di mo rin naman masabi, baka may ginagawa rin yung ibang teams,” he maintained.
Still, he pointed out that his boys are already winners as the NGBL, which is also supported by MET Food Corporation, official hydration partners Gatorade & Summit Natural Drinking Water, Converge as official internet provider, and Crocs, is one vital factor to their respective basketball futures moving forward.
“Pag magco-college na sila, meron na silang hinahabol na mga standards of playing,” he said.
Golden Stallions head coach Willy Wilson also shares the same vision with Sia.
The former PBA player has been seeing a lot of positives from this squad, with Xavier even pushing Ateneo de Manila University to the brink of an upset as the Blue Eaglets needed a buzzer-beater to beat them, and that is exactly what Wilson anticipated when they entered the NGBL.
“We’re getting what we expected. We’re playing against high-level competition because obviously, these are the best high school players in the Philippines,” Wilson said.
“Every game for us is a playoff game, which is, again, that’s what we want, we’re out for improvement.”
