WELL, we’re all 28 years younger today — 1996.

Fidel V. Ramos was the country’s 12th President, Manila hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) for the first time and Marikina, the country’s Shoe Capital, formally became a highly-urbanized city.

In sports, Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco captured a silver medal in boxing in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Alaska Milk, led by coach Tim Cone, completed the PBA’s fourth grandslam by beating Purefoods in the All-Filipino Conference, Shell in the Commissioner’s Cup and Barangay Ginebra in the Governors’ Cup.

Also in basketball, Wang’s Basketball was formally born.

Founded by businessman-sportsman Alex Wang, the small circle of friends who love basketball gathered together to establish what would now be one of the most enduring sports associations in the country.

When it was established back in 1996, only few people thought that Wang’s Basketball would outlive some of the other more prominent and well-funded basketball associations in the 90s all the way to the new millennium.

“Looking back, Wang’s Basketball had a menorable but rollercoaster ride in the last 28 years. We had our ups and downs, especially during the pandemic years. But until now, we’re still here — and we’re here to stay,” said Wang during a simple dinner he hosted for close friends and supporters to celebrate Wang’s Basketball’s 28th year anniversary recently.

“Even though we started small, we achieved a lot of big milestones with the help of a lot of our friends who share our passion for basketball. Some of them went on to become big-name basketball personalities, but we also have people who quietly worked behind the scenes tomake our dream a reality,” recalled Wang, now 66, but still playing basketball.

Wang, who is also best remembered for establishing the Millennium Basketball League (MBL) in 2000, takes pride in looking back as what he has achieved in the sport closest to his heart.

“Wang’s Basketball has been blessed with so many good players in the past/ We have very good teams in the MBL, which I co-founded in 2000, and other major leagues, such as the National Interclub, NBC and MBT,” recalled Wang.

One of these most memorable triumphs he now wears proudly on his chest was securing the Philippine National Interclub championship, a feat made more remarkable after beating future star players from South Korea and Vietnam.

Wang’s Basketball’s commendable third-place finish in the PBA D-League behind only UAAP champion La Salle and NCAA heavyweight San Beda College also showcases Wangs’ lofty stature in the local basketball scene.

Wang’s Mandaluyong-based team even represented the country in the seventh Zheng Chenggong Cup international invitational basketball tournament in Nanan City, Fujian, China last 2012.

“At Wang’s Basketball, we are proud to have been part of the successful journeys of well-known PBA players such as Allein Maliksi, Beau Belga, Ian Sangalang, Ronnie Matias, Jerwin Gaco, Robbie Herdon, Frank Yu, Bong Quino, Jerrick Balanza, and a lot more,” said Wang.

“Some of our former players are now much-sought after basketball coaches and assistant coaches,” added Wang, who is also remembered for extending a helping hand to veteran coaches AtoTolentino, Fritz Gaston, Elvis Tolentino, Beaujing Acot, Biboy Simon and Mark Herrera when they called the shots for the national teams in the not-so-distant past.

But it is not only in basketball.

Wang said other former players who now excel in different fields include Edrick Ferrer, Chito Ama, Mario Reyes, Ron Manalang, Ryan Regalado, Luis Palaganas, Anthony Cuevas, and many others now based abroad.

Now, Wangs Basketball is focusing on Wangs Athletes Support. a program for players 18 years old and under, training students as well as out-of-school youths.

The team was able to develop players and help them successfully join their school’s varsity teams in only a few years; time.

“On Wang’s Basketball’s 28th year, we renew our commitment to support athletes in various aspects of their lives. It’s a testament to Wangs’ vision of not just being a basketball team but a holistic support system for athletes at all levels,” explained Wang.

For Wang, basketball never stops.

NOTES — Congratulations to my three-year-old apo, Apollo Nathaniel A. Padilla, who completed his Kidz Playschool Summer Worshop 2024 at the Kidz Playschool Learning Center in Novaliches, Quezon City early this month.

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