MANILA – Ilongga basketball legend Joan “Ford” Alcala Grajales attributed her career success – including her 11-year stint with the national women’s basketball team – to hard work and determination.
The Guimbal, Iloilo-native said being part of Discovery Pilipinas national team was a dream come true.
“Kung may dream kamo sa life, indi gid kamo mag-give up kung makabatyag kamo kapoy, kabudlayan,” Grajales said over Sports Lang podcast.
“Ako damò ako naagyan (nga) ups and downs sang naging national player ako. May suporta or wala ga sige man gihapon sa paglab-ot sang handum,” added the former University of Iloilo standout.
“Gapamati gid ako sa coach ko kag ginahimo ko sila nga inspiration kaya 100 percent ko nga energy kag effort ginahatag ko gid,” she furthered. “Kaya blessed ako nga naging part sang Discovery family kay hindi lang players, coaches kag manager trato namon sa isa kag isa kundi family.”
Now that she has retired from basketball, Grajales serves as head coach to University of Santo Tomas (UST) high school girls basketball team and assistant coach to UST women’s college basketball team.
“Since naga-coach na ako subong sa UST women’s basketball, gina-share ko sa mga student-athlete kung ano man ang na-learn and na-experience ko nga ma-inspire sila to reach their dreams,” Grajales said.
“If ever nga makakita ko potential players, I recommend them to join try-outs. Ga-conduct and join man ko training camps and sports clinic to help and share my expertise,” she added./PN
