Emilio Aguinaldo College power forward John Paul Maguliano is one of the top defenders of the NCAA.
According to Chino Trinidad's report in "24 Oras," the big man was named on the All-Defensive Team for his performance with the Generals in Season 95.
Maguliano, who hails from Isabela, said that it was his experience working in a farm that helped him to develop a body suited for basketball.
"Parang 'yun 'yung isa sa reason kung bakit parang medyo matigas-tigas, batak sa trabaho. Parang 'yun na 'yung pinaka-weights training ko," he said, revealing that the secret to his conditioning is carrying sacks of rice and corn.
("That's probably one of the reasons why I have a hard body used to physical work . That served as my weights training.")
Maguliano's family sent him to study in Manila but he had the idea to help with the costs of his education by using his hard-earned physique.
He took a chance to try out on the EAC basketball team, and he ended up earning a scholarship. Since then, he has come a long way from being a shy rural boy who was afraid to mingle with other people.
"Parang ito 'yung bumuo sa pagkatao ko," he said. "Nung nagbasketball ako and then sa EAC, nakapaglaro na ng NCAA, parang buo na 'yung kumpyansa ko," he said.
("This built my personality. When I started basketball in EAC and played in the NCAA, my confidence grew.")
Now, Maguliano wants to encourage other people like him to make that leap, just like he did.
"Hindi porket taga probinsya wala nang chance na mag-try sa Manila, ganun. Wag isipin na probinsyano sila," he said.
("Just because they are from the province does not mean that they don't have a chance to try in Manila. They shouldn't dwell on the fact that they are from the province.")
—MGP, GMA News
