Manila – Former Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts standout Mart James Barrera got another opportunity to realize his Manila dreams after being recruited by the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers.
According to the Tanjay, Negros Oriental native, he was thankful to Heavy Bombers head coach Louie Gonzales for taking a chance on him with a practice invite recently.
“Sobrang thankful po ako at napaka-blessed din kasi nabigyan ako ulit nang pagkakataon na maglaro sa Manila. Nagpapasalamat din ako kay coach Lou sa tiwala at opportunity na binigay nya sa akin sa JRU,” Barrera told Panay News on Wednesday.
“Medyo familiar na din sa akin si coach Lou because nag-tryout din ako sakanya before sa DLSU,” he added. “Ngayong kinuha niya ako uli ay gagawin ko po ang lahat para sa team at hindi ko sasayangin ang tiwala na ibinigay sa akin ni coach at ng JRU.”
The 6-foot-3 Barrera was a former member of Thunderbolts team that represented Western Visayas in a tournament in Manila, which led to his tryout invites from University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University.
Barrera instead ended up committing with College of St. Benilde Blazers in NCAA but, for some unfortunate incident, the Negrense winger ended up returning to his hometown in Tanjay.
While in Negros Oriental, Barrera was not idle as he competed in several local tournaments while also improving his skillset which led to the Heavy Bombers to reconsider him.
“Ang gagawin ko po para matulungan ang JRU sa NCAA ay mag trabaho nang mag trabaho and aaralin ko ‘yung system ni coach Lou. Also, I need to adjust a lot kasi iba kasi ang laro nila dito compared sa probinsya,” Barrera said.
“I am also aware na dapat mentally and physically ready ako sa NCAA at bawal din ang wala sa focus. Also need ko din magpalaki nang katawan kasi very physical at dikdikan talaga doon. Pero tiwala naman ako sa sistema namin at yung process,” he added.
Barrera, who is expected to return back to the Heavy Bombers camp by mid-August, will still need to serve a one-year residency before he can suit up for JRU in NCAA seniors basketball./PN
