Justine Sanchez relishes chance to learn from NBA star Dwight Howard

Published March 13, 2024 9:03pm

Updated March 13, 2024 9:03pm

Justine Sanchez cannot wait to once again show his wares in the NCAA.

The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde rising star is excited to show what he learned from the time he served as Dwight Howard’s warm-up partner during their stint together for Strong Group Athletics last January.

The athletic 6-foot-5 forward said that he didn’t expect to have an opportunity to share the court with former NBA stars like Howard, Andray Blatche, and Andre Roberson, especially this early in his young career.

“Isang malaking factor din ‘yon sa career ko kasi at a young age… ang daming bata na nangangarap maging kakampi mo ‘yung mga NBA superstars pero ako ‘yung nagka-opportunity,” Sanchez told GMA News Online during De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s participation in the GMA Masterclass.

“Masaya kasi iba ‘yung experience in 10 days na binuo kami. Iba ‘yung chemistry na nabuo namin sa Dubai at lumaban pa kami sa championship.”

[It’s a big factor in my career, especially at a young age. So many kids dream of playing with NBA superstars but I was the one with the opportunity… It was fun because it was a different experience being formed over only 10 days. The chemistry that we built in Dubai was something else and we even competed for the championship.]

Sanchez was among the locals selected by Benilde and SGA head coach Charles Tiu to join the squad for the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship — and he didn’t waste any of his time being able to learn from one of the best.

“Si Dwight ‘yun ‘yung sparring game ko before game. Ako ‘yung dummy defense niya, parang warm-up partner niya. Isipin mo NBA superstar kasama mo, hindi talaga ako makapaniwala,” Sanchez added.

“Ang inexpect namin is hindi sila makikisama sa mga locals kasi nga mga imports sila pero ‘yung reality ay iba—-tinreat din nila kami na parang NBA stars and pinakita nila na pwede naming pulutin ‘yung utak na meron sila.”

[Dwight was my sparring game before the game. I was his dummy defense, like his warm-up partner. Imagine, you’re with an NBA superstar, I really couldn’t believe it… We didn’t expect them to engage with the locals because they were imports but the reality was they treated us as if we were NBA stars and they let us pick their brains.]

That’s why Sanchez is looking forward to competing again in the NCAA.

It has been a little over a year since Sanchez decided to leave San Beda University to transfer to Benilde alongside teammate Tony Ynot and Gab Cometa as well as former Emilio Aguinaldo College big man Allen Liwag.

But Sanchez, a product of the San Beda Red Cubs and part of the championship team that won the title in the Season 95 juniors tilt, admitted that he has a long way to go as he looks to help the Blazers come their Season 100 campaign.

“Alam ko rin naman sa sarili ko na may kulang pa pero nire-ready ko ‘yung sarili ko para sa Season 100.”

[I know that for myself, I’ll still be lacking some things but I’m trying to be ready for Season 100.]

—JMB, GMA Integrated News