I still remember the first time I held a basketball in my hands - it felt both foreign and familiar, like meeting someone you've been destined to know your entire life. Growing up in Manila, the dream of becoming an NBA player seemed as distant as the stars, but something about that leather sphere felt like it belonged in my hands. My journey wasn't just about talent or luck; it was about understanding that every great dream begins with a single step, and for me, that step involved recognizing where I could make my mark.

When I first started playing seriously, coaches would always comment on my height. At 6-foot-5, I had what they called "the right frame" for basketball, but I quickly learned that height alone doesn't make a player. During my early days with local teams, I discovered that my real advantage wasn't just my stature but how I could use it strategically in specific positions. This realization came into sharp focus when I joined TNT and began understanding the nuances of frontcourt play. The frontcourt position became my canvas, and my 6-foot-5 frame became the brush with which I could paint our team's success stories.

What many people don't realize about professional basketball is that it's not just about individual talent - it's about how you fit into a team's ecosystem. Last season with TNT taught me this in the most profound way possible. We were cruising toward what seemed like an inevitable grand slam, winning game after game with what felt like unstoppable momentum. Our frontcourt strategy had been working beautifully, with my height giving us that extra ceiling advantage that often made the difference in close matches. I remember specifically how our coaching staff would design plays that leveraged my reach, creating opportunities that smaller players simply couldn't execute.

Then came the Philippine Cup against San Miguel - a game that changed my perspective forever. We entered as favorites, having dominated much of the season, but basketball has a way of humbling even the most confident players. Losing that match was devastating, but it taught me more about professional sports than all our victories combined. The loss wasn't just about missed shots or defensive lapses - it was about the delicate balance of team chemistry, the importance of adapting strategies mid-game, and the reality that no advantage, not even significant height differences, guarantees victory.

The experience made me reflect on what it truly takes to reach the NBA level. It's not just about physical attributes or even raw skill - it's about mental resilience and continuous improvement. After that loss, I spent countless hours analyzing game footage, working with trainers to enhance my vertical leap (adding nearly 4 inches to my reach), and studying NBA frontcourt players to understand how they leveraged their physical advantages. I became obsessed with efficiency metrics, discovering that players with my height typically average 12.3 rebounds per game in the Philippine league, while I was only managing 9.7 at the time.

What I've come to understand through my journey is that dreams aren't achieved through wishful thinking but through strategic development. My 6-foot-5 frame opened doors, but it was my willingness to study the game, understand positional requirements, and learn from both victories and defeats that's bringing me closer to my NBA aspirations. The TNT experience, particularly last season's near-grand slam followed by the Philippine Cup disappointment, provided the perfect laboratory for understanding high-stakes basketball.

The reality is, only about 0.03% of college basketball players make it to the NBA, and the percentage is even smaller for international players. But statistics have never discouraged me - if anything, they've motivated me to become an exception rather than a number. My approach has been to focus on controllable factors: improving my shooting percentage from 42% to 47% over the past two seasons, increasing my average blocks from 1.2 to 2.4 per game, and studying NBA defensive schemes to understand how my skills would translate.

Looking back, I realize that every setback, including that painful loss to San Miguel, was preparing me for bigger challenges. The NBA dream isn't just about making it to the league - it's about being prepared to contribute meaningfully once you get there. My time with TNT, particularly playing the frontcourt position with our near-grand slam season, has given me insights into high-pressure basketball that I believe will serve me well at the next level. The added ceiling I provide isn't just physical - it's about raising the level of my aspirations and understanding what's truly possible with dedication and strategic thinking.

As I continue pursuing my NBA dream, I carry with me the lessons from both victories and defeats. Basketball has taught me that success isn't linear, and sometimes the most valuable growth comes from moments that initially feel like failures. The 6-foot-5 frame that once felt like just a physical attribute has become symbolic of the elevated perspective I now have about the game - understanding that reaching new heights requires both the physical tools and the mental fortitude to use them effectively. And while my journey continues, every day brings me closer to making that childhood dream a reality.