ILOCOS NORTE – Jess Evangelio achieved what he fell wanting 15 years in the past, solely this time he is sporting a unique hat for Davao.
In 2010, Evangelio was a part of the Area 11 delegation for Palarong Pambansa secondary boys basketball in Tarlac, becoming a member of palms with then aspirant Scottie Thompson, who would ultimately develop into the face of Barangay Ginebra within the PBA.
They might have a formidable run en path to a quarterfinals look, however they ultimately fell to Cebu to bow out of rivalry.
After 15 years, Evangelio returned to the identical stage and took dwelling the gold {hardware} this time round.
Now the coach of the Davao Eagles, Evangelio steered the area to its maiden highschool basketball gold medal after they dominated Western Visayas in the finals, 67-51, behind Jhonmark Pelegrino and Rene Clert Baterbonia.
Each the rising stars churned out 19 factors to energy Davao’s second half pullaway, which noticed them flip a good affair within the first half right into a lopsided victory.
“Really since 2016 nagco-coach na ako sa Ateneo de Davao so after 9 years pa bago ako makaabot dito sa gold medal. 9 years within the making, yearly since 2016 ito ‘yung aim namin,” Evangelio mentioned.
“Very nostalgic nga sa akin ang feeling sa Palarong Pambansa kasi annoyed participant ako nu’ng first Palaro ko and at the least nakuha ko na ‘yung final aim ko.”
However the victory was extra than simply successful all of it.
Based on Evangelio, who has been on the helm of Ateneo de Davao since 2016 after deciding to not proceed his taking part in profession anymore and as an alternative get into teaching, the gold medal meant loads to the area.
Apart from Thompson, Davao has additionally produced a variety of basketball stars like PJ Simon, Baser Amer, Alvin Pasaol, and Migs Oczon, and the gold medal now serves as a testomony to the standard of basketball within the area.
Evangelio hopes the Palaro feat also can entice homegrown gamers to hone their expertise there earlier than leaving for Manila.
“Siguro it means every part talaga kasi nga historical past ‘yung nagawa namin na mag-champion sa Palarong Pambansa secondary boys,” Evangelio added.
“Kami ‘yung first-ever workforce na makagawa nito. Hopefully, tumaas pa ‘yung competitors sa Davao. Hopefully, piliin ng mga gamers na magpahinog at mag-stay sa Davao bago umakyat sa NCR.”
READ | Palarong Pambansa medal tally
—JKC, GMA Built-in Information