Pinoy basketball player in Spain gets own Nike jersey

SPAIN – A Barcelona-based Filipino playing for Spain’s 3×3 street basketball team has once again brought pride, especially to Filipinos in Spain.

Nike Spain has produced basketball jerseys that bear the surname of Ruben Zaballa, the only Filipino player representing Spain in FIBA’s international street basketball tournaments.

According to Zaballa, only 3,000 shirts have been released in Spain last January but more shirts will be available this summer.

His photo with Filipinos wearing the Zaballa jersey went viral among Filipino residents in Spain.

Recently, Zaballa was given the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by Filipino organization Barcelona All Filipino Sports Commission (BAFSCOM) for serving as an inspiration to fellow Filipino basketball players.

The former UE Red Warriors varsity was MVP for a number of times in BAFSCOM leagues and Spain-wide tournament for Filipinos Ambassador’s Cup.

“Proud ako kay Ruben dahil napakagaling niya maglaro ng basketball hindi lang dito sa liga namin ng BAFSCOM, sa Europa (rin),” said BAFSCOM president Allan Mabilangan.

“Pinatunayan ko lang na hindi puro height ang labanan dito, kundi yung sabi nga sa national team natin, puso, puso, saka yun nga, siyempre trust in God, yun ang pinakaimportante roon,” said Zaballa.

Self-discipline and right attitude are also important to reach one’s dream, he added. Daniel Infante Tuaño ABS-CBN

Watch the related TV report aired on Balitang Global, TFC, ABS-CBN:

 

Former UE Red Warriors cager dribbles for Spain

Ruben Zaballa with Spanish teammates in Lugano, Switzerland

By Daniel Infante Tuaño

BARCELONA, Spain – Former University of the East Red Warriors varsity Ruben Zaballa continue to pursue his passion for basketball as he plays for one of two teams which will represent Spain in the semifinals and finals of the 3×3 FIBA World Tour in Istanbul, Turkey this October.

The Barcelona-based player is the only Filipino among the 18 elite players who competed during the elimination rounds in Spain.

He was one of four players chosen to represent Barcelona, which competed alongside Malaga, another winning Spanish team.

“I’m honored to be one of the representatives of Team Spain in Lugano, Switzerland. Yung feeling ko very overwhelming. I’m the only Asian to be there at alam naman nating lahat na second to the best basketball team in the world ang Spain so it’s a huge achievement as a Filipino,” he said.

His ninth-time Most Valuable Player award in Filipino basketball leagues in Barcelona and his sixth-time MVP in Ambassador’s Cup, a tournament for Filipinos in Spain, have earned him the respect of fellow kababayans. However, playing as shooting guard for Catalan team Barça B did not give him similar court advantage.

“Halos tatlong buwan nila akong hindi kinakausap,” he said. He said some players, who have been basketball club members since they were young, could not accept that an outsider, the only Filipino in the team, would be given the same opportunity.

“Buti na lang yung isa sa mga players fan ni Manny Pacquaio,” he said. The Pacman magic helped him to get along with him.

He also received racist comments every time he played. “You wanted to prove them wrong. Nagpapasalamat din ako kasi nagsilbi siyang motivation,” Zaballa said.

He became player of the year of Copa de Catalunya in 2010, and youth of different nationalities also requested him to put up a training camp and teach them his tricks.

Zaballa also wowed Kobe Bryant when the NBA star served as his coach during the 2010 House of Hoops in Barcelona. Upon knowing he was Filipino, Kobe greeted him with ‘Pacquiao, Pacquiao’.

“Sa mga kababayan natin, just believe in yourself. Kung gusto nyong maging part ng big event, nothing is impossible. Kasi tayo likas na magagaling, so yun lang determination and trust in God.”

Zaballa, who once played with James Yap and competed against Gilas Pilipinas players LA Tenorio and Gary David, is also happy that finally, the Philippine national team made it again to the finals. He hopes, together with the Filipino community, to meet them personally and see them make the country proud once more in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain. ABS-CBNnews.com

Ruben Zaballa with basketball giants Ricky Rubio, Kobe Bryant, Juan Carlos Navarro and Pau Gasol.