A COMBINATION of vocal authority and persuasive speaking is making basketball coach Cholo Villanueva a rising star in his own right. With his involvement in various school programs and his long track record as professional coach, small surprise he was picked to steer the Makati Skyscrapers in the ongoing Manny Pacquiao-backed Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
But while his ability to coach professional players is making a name for himself, it is his passion to guide aspiring youngsters that has given him that extra edge among the young coaches in the thriving Philippine basketball community.
Cholo Camp, the basketball clinic he put up in 2014 catering to boys and girls ages 4-18, concluded its summer program this year at Colegio San Agustin’s state-of-the-art basketball gym last May 27.
“I wanted to give back something to my high school alma mater Colegio San Agustin. Building a grassroots basketball program and developing kids with passion for the sport would pave the way for future college or professional prospects,” said Cholo, a former De La Salle Green Archers who was named co-Finals UAAP MVP in 2007.
Cholo Camp’s latest summer programs featured Shooting and Ball Handling and Attack. Skills training camp in Makati and Nuvali begins in July.
Entertainment writer and recording artist Yugel Losorata, whose nine-year old son Ryde joined this year’s summer camp, noted: “My kid improved a lot in various facets of his playing. For one, exposing him to a shooting program really helped in developing that particular skill of his. It’s a big bonus that Cholo’s voice possesses that authority and calmness that the children need in following instructions and absorbing the takeaways.”
The Camp now has an average of 150 players per program; it runs five programs annually—three during the schoolyear and two in summer. It is present in Colegio San Agustin-Makati, Colegio San Agustin—Bulacan, De La Salle University Integrated School, and Beacon International School. Around 15 to 18 coaches exposed to intensive training themselves handle each program.
Villanueva, who also played in the PBA, sees the point in lending his nickname to establishing a brand. He explained, “I like to think that putting my actual name on the label keeps me on my toes. I mean, this is my personal mark. The whole program is reflective of me.”
He added, “Cholo Camp is a way for me to contribute to the basketball community. Aside from teaching basketball and sports values to kids, it also employs coaches and referees who share the same enthusiasm about basketball and teaching.”
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