Beyond the court: Hoop Camp Bacolod shapes future ballers

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — For two days, the sound of squeaking sneakers, bouncing basketballs, and determined young players filled the gymnasium of Bacolod Tay Tung High School as Hoop Camp Bacolod returned for its second year — bigger, more inspiring, and fueled by a deeper purpose beyond the game.

Headed by Jessa Joy Shinzato, Hoop Camp Bacolod was created to inspire, guide, and support aspiring young basketball players in Negros Occidental.

This year’s elite training camp became even more special with the presence of some of the country’s top basketball personalities: Kiefer Ravena, Bacolod’s homegrown SJ Belangel, and Rhenz Abando.

More than teaching drills and plays, the camp became a platform for sharing life lessons, sacrifices, and the realities behind playing basketball at the highest level.

Together with True Focus PH, headed by coach Jolo Tamayo, Ravena helped lead the skills development sessions, focusing not only on fundamentals but also on discipline and attention to detail.

“At a very high level, it’s the small details that separate a good player from a great player,” Ravena explained. “We want the kids to understand not just what to do, but why they have to do it.”

The longtime national team standout stressed that discipline and consistency are essential lessons both in basketball and in life.

“Basketball taught me discipline, routine, and how to embrace the boring stuff,” he shared. “Hindi palaging masaya at madali, but you have to keep doing the work.”

Ravena said it is a blessing to share their basketball knowledge and expertise with the kids.

“It’s one way of giving back and share our talents, knowledge, and skills. We want them to learn and use the sport as an instrument to have a better future,” he added.

As for his future, Ravena revealed that while the possibility of playing in the PBA remains open, his priority is still continuing his overseas career after his contract with Yokohama ended this season.

“Hopefully another team in Japan wants me,” he said. “But of course, it’s always nice to come home and be with family.”

Belangel, another overseas Filipino athlete making waves in Korea, echoed similar sentiments about growth, sacrifice, and grabbing opportunities abroad.

“It’s a great opportunity seeing future Bacolod players here in the camp,” Belangel shared. “Ang dami nilang matututunan.”

Belangel of the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus noted the differences between basketball culture in Korea and the Philippines, particularly the strict discipline and detailed systems implemented overseas.

“In Korea, work is work. Very serious sila when it comes to discipline,” he said.

For the Bacolod native guard, one of the defining moments of his career came during the pandemic when he hit a game-winning shot against Korea — a moment that introduced him to many Filipino fans online.

Still, Belangel emphasized that life overseas is far from easy.

“People think it’s all fun because you earn money and live comfortably,” he said. “But they don’t see the sacrifices, the everyday training, and being away from family.”

Despite the challenges, Belangel remains motivated by his faith, family, fiancée, and the pride of representing Bacolod and the Philippines abroad.

“Every season, I’m motivated because I’m representing not just myself but Filipinos,” he said.

To aspiring athletes from the provinces, Belangel encouraged them to never fear stepping outside their comfort zones.

“If you have an opportunity, grab it,” he said. “There’s no harm in trying.”

For Abando, it was his first time in Bacolod — an experience he described as memorable because of the warmth of the people and the passion of the young players.

“It’s an honor for me to be here,” Abando shared. “So far, the experience has been really good. Mababait ang mga tao dito and I met new friends.”

Abando expressed gratitude to the campers who eagerly participated and showed dedication throughout the training sessions.

“Thankful ako sa mga nag-join sa hoop camp kasi willing talaga silang matuto,” he said.

Despite already playing professionally overseas, Abando remained humble, admitting that he still continues to learn — especially from fellow guest mentor Ravena.

“To be honest, wala pa ako sa level ni Kiefer pagdating sa pagtuturo,” he admitted. “Magaling siya magturo. Kahit nagtuturo ako, marami rin akong natututunan sa kanya.”

Abando of the Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters said sharing the knowledge he gained overseas is one way of giving back to aspiring athletes.

But beyond the highlights and comfortable salaries that come with playing abroad, he revealed the hidden struggles athletes face.

“When you play overseas, kailangan mentally and physically ready ka,” he said. “You need a lot of sacrifices because it’s really hard.”

He spoke candidly about the emotional battles athletes endure away from home, emphasizing the importance of family support and communication.

“Minsan struggling ka overseas. May personal battles ka rin. Kaya importante talaga ang open communication sa family,” Abando shared.

The former UAAP standout also reflected on one of the biggest lessons basketball taught him: humility.

“There was one time I messed up,” he recalled. “Kaya kailangan laging mapagkumbaba.”

To young players struggling with confidence, Abando offered a simple but powerful reminder: “Kailangan may tiwala ka sa sarili mo. Number one kalaban mo talaga ang sarili mo.”

The two-day camp also featured strength and conditioning sessions led by coach Justin Aquino, strength and conditioning coach of the Capital1 Spikers, who energized participants through engaging warm-up activities.

Hoop Camp Bacolod also partnered with Bridgesports Global and Ultra Lifestyle PH, whose support helped make the event possible.

The camp held its first training sessions last year.

Now in its second year, Hoop Camp Bacolod continues to prove that basketball can be more than a sport.

For the young athletes who attended, it became a space to dream bigger, work harder, and realize that success is built not only on talent but also on discipline, sacrifice, and heart.