I REMEMBER reading news of basketball players who struggled to make it here and decided to try their luck and ply their trade overseas.
Names like Paul Zamar and Almond Vosotros, who both played in Thailand. Alyssa Valdez played in Thailand, too, and Jaja Santiago brought her talent to Japan.
Recently, you have Kai Sotto and Cholo Anonuevo and in football, the Philippine Football League’s Azkals Development Team’s Jarvey Gayoso and Mar Diano receiving offers from three to four teams in Thailand.
Let’s not forget Bryan Bagunas spiking his way to Japan and Marck Espejo bringing his act to the Middle East and, of course, Thirdy Ravena beginning to assert himself in the Japanese B-League.
In basketball, you can kind of expect that because of Sotto and Anonuevo’s talent, but in football, it could only mean opening Philippine football’s Pandora’s box in an opposite but excellent way.
In women’s volleyball, the pandemic deprived talented players from playing overseas.
Playing abroad is a huge opportunity for players, they’re given a chance to widen their horizons, create more opportunities for themselves, learn a new culture and create lifelong friendships outside the archipelago.
The financial part is a given, these players receive salaries two to three times more than what they are receiving at home. Some of these young men and women are breadwinners so the financial abundance is life-changing for themselves and their families.
Personally, I’m happy for these young professional athletes, especially the part where they learn a new language and a new culture. Whatever knowledge they gain abroad like tactics, strategies, nutrition and best workout practices, hopefully, they will share with their countrymen and peers.