Young Dagupena plays basketball with LeBron James
A TEENAGER in Dagupan City got her lifetime wish and greatest birthday present with her unexpected rise to stardom via her recent life-changing encounter with the world’s top basketball superstar LeBron James at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Kristine Cayabyab who turned 13 on August 26 said her life dramatically changed after she was picked as one of the two girls in a squad of teenage boys to show her basketball wares with the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player watching from the sidelines during the Nike Rise.
Kristine was among the 800 basketball players who auditioned in Dagupan City and was sent to Manila to qualify for the squad for Nike’s basketball reality search from tryouts held across the country.
A butcher’s daughter from Barangay Pogo Chico here was one of the final players chosen by former national team coach Chot Reyes to compose the Rise team from a group of street-ballers gathered from all over the country.
“Masayang-masaya ako dahil once-in-a- lifetime lang yung makalaro si LeBron James,” Kristine said.
She said she was so flattered when Lebron gave her autographed shoes and ball “but the best was when I played with him”.
She said her ultimate goal is to be part of WNBA.
She said she would give her best and show the world that a girl from the province like her could be at par with male counterparts.
After her encounter with James, she said she felt like a celebrity because of the attention given by the media and people, including her schoolmates who would ask her for photo-ops with her or have her autograph their t-shirt, shoes, or notebook.
“My life has changed. Before, they didn’t mind me but when I played with Lebron, wow, they look up to me now,” Kristine said.
Her teachers at Judge Jose de Venecia Memorial High School in Barangay Bolosan this city are very proud of her feat.
She said her moment with James is her most unforgettable in her life. “To play with the most popular basketball player in the world is a once-in-a lifetime experience,” she said.
But aside from basketball, young Kristine who stands 5’7” wants to be a flight stewardess someday.
Sports observers took notice of Kristine the first time when Indiana Pacers’ star Paul George joined their first scrimmage last month. In one sequence, Cayabyab was able to steal the ball off George and went all the way for a fast-break layup. She became the darling of the crowd literally and figuratively.
Last week Friday (August 21) night, Kristine, went on to beat Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena, Perlas Pilipinas’ Ewon Arayi in the three-point shootout at halftime.
With the crowd cheering her on, Kristine hit 15 points to top Ravena and Arayi’s 11 points apiece that had James standing up on his feet.
Cayabyab only learned of James’ standing ovation when she went back to the bench. It was all she needed to boost her confidence further and proceeded to drain three-pointers after another against the young men.
James even playfully hugged her during one play in the second half to stop her from getting the ball.
On August 26 when she turned 13, Cayabyab was a guest at K17 The Kabaleyan Channel and Barangay Pogo Chico Captain Dean Bryan Kua gave her, her mom and siblings a birthday treat of burgers and fries. (Tita Roces)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
