Eriobu dreams of playing for national team
Mahindra rookie Joseph Eriobu would not pass up on a chance to represent the country in the world stage of basketball.
“Kung mabibigyan ako ng opportunity na makapaglaro sa Gilas Pilipinas, why not? Para sa’kin it’s a privilege to play for our country. Sobrang sarap sa feeling na mare-represent mo, hindi lang sarili mo, kundi buong Pilipinas,” Eriobu said.
The 6-foot-4 Fil-Nigerian revealed that donning the Gilas Pilipinas jersey is something that holds a special place in his heart.
“Isa ‘yun sa dream ko,” the 24-year old Eriobu said.
The Floodbuster forward shared a memory back in his high school days, recalling the time when he was included in the RP youth team pool but was cut due to his duties for his would-be college team.
The former Mapua stalwart also said that his burning passion to play for flag and country began when, as a kid, he witnessed the Selecta RP team’s heart-wrenching 68-69 semifinal loss to host South Korea in the 2002 Asian Games in Busan.
“Sobrang heartbreaking nun. Hindi ko makalimutan ‘yun. Kasi sobrang heartbreaking talaga para sa Pilipinas,” he recalled.
“Doon talaga nagsimula lumakas lalo yung urge ko na makasali ako sa RP team. Para makapag-represent ako at (makatulong) makuha yung mga gintong medalya sa kung anumang liga sa Asia and makapasok tayo sa Olympics,” he added. Jeremiah Sevilla
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