Former San Beda Red Lions team captain and now Zamboanga Valientes skipper Peter Alfaro is proud to represent his hometown in the The Asian Tournament (TAT).
The Valientes finished the first leg of the tournament with a 3-2 win-loss record in Guangdong, China before reaching the semi-finals in the second leg in Passi, Iloilo.
Alfaro led Zamboanga in booting out Guangdong-leg champions Macau Black Bears, 90-82, with an all-around performance, scoring 12 points along with seven rebounds, seven assists, and two steals.
However, Zamboanga was dominated by fellow Philippine-based squad Pola Pilipinas RPG, 82-57, in the semifinals.
“Very important and very thankful to be able to play here specially na bringing the name Zamboanga tapos sa international level pa… at this time, after ko maglaro sa San Beda it's time to give back for my city and syempre sa family ko,” Alfaro said on his decision to play for Zamboanga.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Alfaro told GMA Regional TV News that his decision to play for Zamboanga in the international basketball scene will benefit his career in the long run.
“Syempre, excited na makalaban yung mga higher competition ngayon sa international level… I think magiging helpful and okay yung experience na to for me sa next level ng career ko sa basketball,” he told.
Alfaro and the rest of the Valientes faced former Arkansas Razorbacks forward Jeantal Cylla who led the tournament with 37 points per game while playing for the Black Bears.
Other familiar faces in the tournament include world imports Xavier Alexander (Pola Pilipinas RPG) and the towering 7-foot-7 center Maltese, Sam Deguara (Taipei Mustangs).
Former Gilas Pilipinas point guard Alex Cabagnot (Taipei Mustangs) and Canadian guard Kobey Lam are also seeing action in the Asian tilt.
WINNING PEDIGREE
Going out on a high in his collegiate career after winning the NCAA Season 99 Men’s Basketball, Alfaro bared that his playing years in San Beda brought the best out of him and prepared him for his next moves.
“Yung championship experience na nakuha ko sa San Beda tapos yung program na binuild ng San Beda University, sila Coach Yuri [Escueta], sobrang thankful ko sa kanila kasi prinepare nila kami to be able to play in this kind of level,” Alfaro said.
The Red Lions led by Finals MVP James Payosing, Jacob Cortez, and Yukien Andrada upset the top-seeded Mapua Cardinals in the best-of-three final series to bring the crown back to Mendiola.
“I think ready naman ako to compete here and do my best.”
PLAYING FOR ZAMBOANGA
Apart from gaining experience in his young career, Alfaro also cherishes the opportunity to play with his fellow Zamboangueños inside the court with coach Bobedick delos Santos leading in the sidelines.
“Nilo-look forward ko talaga dito is yung mga teammates ko kasi may mga teammates ako dito na matagal ko nang gusto maging teammate like sina Rudy Lingganay, Michael Tolomia and yung ibang mga local players,” Alfaro said.
Aside from Lingganay and Tolomia, Alfaro also played alongside homegrown Zamboangueños in Med Salim, Job Alcantara, Denver ‘Raton de Coco’ Cadiz, and Das Esa.
“Nag-gegel kami sa loob ng court, nagkakaintindihan kami, walang ego sa amin. It’s a blessing na makasama ko sila and sobrang grateful ko sa coaches namin na nagtitiwala sila sa amin kahit kami yung mga locals dito, binibigyan nila kami ng big task at hand to lead this team and win games also,” he said.
The team is reinforced by world imports Malick Diouf, Nicholas Evans, and Ricky Brice together with Filipino-American Franky Johnson and former Benilde Blazer AJ Benson.
The grateful Alfaro also promised his fellow Zamboangueños of an all-out performance, especially now that they are playing in the international level.
“Ta pide iyo gracias na todo Zamboangueño, alegre iyo to play ara kanaton, dale iyo el one hundred percent para kanaton. At the same time, ara na international level kita so man-promise kami para dale kami el todo para puede kami man-represent buenamente kon el Zamboanga City,” he said.
[ I want to say thank you to all Zamboangueños, I am so happy to play for us, I’ll give my one hundred percent for our team. At the same time, we promise to give our best so that we can represent our city well in the international level.]
