Despite being the shortest participants in Basketball Without Borders Asia 2025, Filipino teenagers Paul Barcelona and Rob Celiz showed they were up to the task.
SINGAPORE – Among the 30 boys from Asia, Australia and New Zealand invited to attend the Basketball Without Borders Asia 2025 camp held here from June 19-22 were two 17-year-olds from the Philippines – Paul Barcelona from Bacolod Tay Tung High School and Rob Celiz from National University Nazareth School.
It’s safe to say the experience is now one of the highlights of their young careers. They received NBA-level mentoring and measured themselves against the best from Asia. In the end, they can proudly say that they more than held their own.
The duo told The GAME that simply receiving word that they had been selected was already a big thrill for them.
“Sobrang happy po kasi makaka-experience ako ng ganitong kalaki na event,” said Barcelona, who represented Western Visayas in the recent Palarong Pambansa. “Alam ko marami akong matutunan dito and yung experience talaga.”
Celiz concurred. “Same lang po kay Paul kasi sobrang happy ko nung nalaman ko na kasama ako dito sa BWB, sa Singapore. Ire-represent din namin yung Philippines dito sa Singapore and maglalaro pa ako sa RSI.”
Celiz is referring to the Rising Stars International, where he will join his fellow Bullpups in representing the Philippines in an 11-team tournament featuring the top Asian high school squads. BWB Asia, along with RSI, comprise the NBA’s new multi-day festival of basketball here in this bustling city-state.
The 30 campers were divided into three teams and underwent rigorous training under NBA stars Derrick White, Tyrese Maxey, and Duop Reath, WNBA legend Ticha Penicheiro, and NBA assistant coaches Jared Dudley, Ronald Nored, Vinay Bhavnani, and Khalid Robinson.
As luck would have it, Barcelona’s Dallas Mavericks team coached by Dudley faced off against Celiz’s Atlanta Hawks team coached by White, with the Hawks winning the title. Both Filipino players had their moments, particularly from beyond the arc where they each hit a triple in the championship game.
At the end of the four-day camp, Barcelona and Celiz expressed their gratitude and joy at being selected to participate in this prestigious camp jointly organized by FIBA and the NBA. The level of competition gave both players an idea of where they stood as far as their own skill level was concerned.
“Sobrang happy ko kasi sobrang marami kong nalaman na experience and nakakakilala ng mga ibang lahi dito sa Singapore,” said Barcelona. “Sobra po kasi yung kalaban dito, yung mga teammates namin at yung ibang campers din. Sobrang galing at sobrang lakas din. So yung experience na makukuha namin dito, idadala for sure sa Philippines.”
Celiz, a former UAAP junior high school MVP, had to muster every move in his arsenal against top-caliber competition.
“Sobrang nakakatulong sa confidence namin kasi hindi ka makakascore dito ng madali,” he said. “So parang kailangan mo gumawa ng way and sobrang sarap sa feeling na naglaro ka dito and yung mga coach mo may trust sa iyo and sobrang nakaka-boost lang ng confidence. Kaya madadala namin talaga sa Philippines.”
Both players knew what they were up against and said the camp matched their lofty expectations. A quick glance at the boys’ roster showed that at a listed height of 5’11”, Celiz was the only player below six feet. Barcelona was listed at six feet flat, one of only two campers measured at that height. That meant that no matter who they were matched up against, they were always shorter.
By comparison, the Chinese delegation had three players listed at 6’11”.
“Na-match po yung expectations ko kasi mas malaki yung mga kasama namin dito,” Barcelona said. “Pero I did my best naman po na makamatch sa kanila.”
Added Celiz: “Expect ko rin na sobrang lalaki nila and maliit talaga kami sa ganitong height namin kasi ibang level yung parang height nila dito sa ibang bansa eh. So nag-match naman lahat.”
Barcelona and Celiz also expressed their gratitude to their famous coaches for trusting them.
“Sobrang thankful po kasi minsan lang naman eh,” Barcelona said. “Once in a lifetime experience. Sobrang vocal po at active so marami ka talaga matutunan sa kanila.”
“Sobrang sarap kasi may tiwala sila sa amin,” said Celiz. “Kay Derrick White and kay Coach Ron sobrang nagpapasalamat ako kasi kahit papaano yung alam nila nahihirapan ako dumiskarte dito so nakita nila yun.
“So itong finals parang nagtiwala talaga sila sa akin na parang may kaya pa akong ibuga at may kaya pa akong ipakita sa kanila. Kaya ginawa ko lang yung best.”
Images from the NBA