Talking to Letran coach RJ Guevarra about the growth of Letran hoops & Breakdown Basketball

Agila and Letran players with Talk 'N Text's Danny Seigle who dropped by one of Breakdown Basketball's games at the Moro Lorenzo Sports center.

We spoke with RJ Guevarra, coach of Letran’s 17U, 14U, and 13U teams about the growth of basketball, Letran hoops, and Breakdown Basketball’s novel game intro of shaking hands.

BB: How’s the grassroots coaching nowadays?

Coach RJ: Progressive naman. I'm the head coach for the Developmental Basketball Program ng Letran 9U-16U from elementary to high school.

BB: Any noticeable changes in kids today?

Coach RJ: Marami. One of which is their focus towards reaching their dreams of playing in the NCAA all the way to college. Sobrang serious na mas masipag pa sila mag extra work sa mga NCAA players.

BB: How did your teams fare in the last Breakdown Basketball League?

Coach RJ: Well, we started na medyo di umabot sa Final Four last January. Then noong summer, both 17U and 14U went to the semi-finals.

B: This early, are there players that you are earmarking to make the Knights team?

Coach RJ: There are players na talagang tine-train natin para sa juniors and eventually sa seniors. We have some we are looking out for: Stacey Tibayan, Miguel Labrador, Louis Montes, Andrey Guarino, Ralph Cauguiran, John Rey Guevarra, and Allen Maglupay to name a very few. Meron pa. Hard to tell when they are still young because they are adjusting to their growth and the game. They also switch positions.

The Breakdown Basketball League is really a big help. Na de-develop talaga ang players naming. As for the shaking of hands for all players before the games for us is very important. Part yan ng character development.