It’s a
marvelous life for Robby Celiz
by rick olivares
The Bataan Risers’ Robby Celiz is
used to marveling the world around him. During a bowling and billiards team
fellowship event last Thursday, August 2, the six-foot-three forward with a
sniper rifle for an arm, stood behind his teammates who all kidded around
during an impromptu bowling tournament.
“Ganyan talaga ako,” he murmured
of his taking in everything including the good fortune he believes to be with
the Bataan squad that is currently playing in the Maharlika Pilipinas
Basketball League.
Celiz hails from Cadiz, Negros
Occidental. It’s a mostly agrarian and fishing city some 40 miles north of
Bacolod. There are the nearby Cadiz Viejo, a white sand beach, a popular
tourist spot.
It was only as he got older when
he began to appreciate the world around him. After all, what do you know when
you’re a kid.
“Ang habol ko lang ay makapagaral
ng college,” Robby admitted of his modest dreams. Celiz found himself playing
for Rizal Technological University in Mandaluyong. “Akala ko, hanggang dito na
lang ang basketball career ko tapos kukuha na ako ng trabaho na
pang-corporate.”
Fate intervened in the form of
Eric Altamirano who recruited him for his National University squad. And
arguably he was a part of one of the best UAAP teams not to win a championship
(where he suited up alongside two-time league most Valuable Player Ray Parks,
Mythical Five member Jean Mbe, Dennice Villamor, Jeff Javillionar, and Robin
Roño to name a few). “Nagulat ako nung na-recruit ako ni Coach E. Nag-iba yung
buhay ko. From NAASCU to UAAP. Sabi ng mga kapamilya at kaibigan ko from Negros
Occidental na bigla na nila ako napapanood sa TV,” he laughs.
And then he was drafted 17th
overall in 2013 by Talk ‘N Text. “Grabe, dream come true,” he said of that
moment in time. Yet, Celiz found it difficult to get minutes with a team that
at that time was the class of the pro league. They had Jason Castro who was at
that time, newly conferred as the best point guard in Asia. Jimmy Alapag was
still blowing great guns. They also had do-it-all player Ryan Reyes, and well,
Celiz’ Risers’ teammate, Pamboy Raymundo.
Medyo mahirap kumuha ng minuto sa
team na yun,” admitted Celiz. “Pero yung natutunan ko – hindi ko makukuha kahit
saan. Naka ilang championship na sila at yung preparation at approach sa laro,
kahit yung samahan at professionalism – ang dami mo mapupulot.”
“At dahil kinuha ako ng Bataan
Risers (after a stint with BlackWater and with Alab Pilipinas where he was a
Asean Basketball Championship), gusto ko dalhin at i-share yung natutunan ko sa
kanila.”
Celiz is well aware that he is
playing for a supportive organization led by head coach Jojo Lastimosa who is
one of the 40 Greatest PBA Players of all-time, and a staff of former pros and
winners like Vic Pablo and Ervin Sotto. He even has a former national team
player for a teammate in Gary David as well as two current Gilas Cadets in JJ
Alejandro and Vince Tolentino.
“Nung nanalo kami sa Alab, ang
sarap ng feeling,” he gushed. “Ganun pala yun to win (a major championship)!”
With the Risers, he believes he
has been given a platform to showcase his talents. In Bataan’s last win, a
95-85 triumph over the Imus Bandera, Celiz scored 15 points while hauling down
seven rebounds and dishing three assists. “Hindi madali yung buhay
professional. Ilang teams lang nasa PBA. Pero dahil dito sa MPBL at sa Bataan,
may chance na makalaro. Happy ako na nakakatulong ako sa team ko manalo.”
Robby realizes that not many
people are given the opportunities he has been given. He understands it is a
difficult and highly-competitive profession, but at this point, it’s all gravy
(aside from the need to earn a living). “Dream ko lang nun makakuha ng
scholarship para makapag-college ako. Biro mo naglaro ako sa UAAP, sa PBA, sa
ABL, at ngayon sa Risers sa MPBL. Not bad di ba?”
Now to help write a happy chapter
for the Risers (who currently tote a 4-1 record in the MPBL Datu’s Cup) with a
championship.
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