Martin Robin made the most out of the lull time brought by the pandemic, working his way up and improving his game in the name of making his older brother, Ralph, proud.
Now that he's given the chance to prove himself, Martin wants nothing but to continue what Ralph did in the NCAA with Emilio Aguinaldo College.
"Siya pa talaga ‘yung big reason kasi siya talaga ‘yung role model ko growing up kaya napili ko ‘yung EAC," Martin told GMA News Online during the school's visit at the GMA Network premises for the GMA Masterclass.
"Gusto ko talaga ituloy ‘yung legacy niya sa EAC."
(He is a big reason because he really is my role model growing up, that's why I chose EAC. I want to continue his legacy in EAC.)
The 21-year-old Martin did not have the most glamorous childhood, having spent his high school days in a school that didn't have a dedicated program for basketball. Howevwe, as he transitioned to senior high school, Martin was able to get a spot in his school's varsity team that further ignited his passion for the sport.
"Nu’ng bata pa ako, mahilig na ako sa basketball kaso nga lang, nang dahil sa financial problem, sa normal school lang ako napunta nu’ng high school sa Infant Jesus Academy sa Antipolo lang po," Martin recalled.
"Normal school lang siya and parang ‘di talaga nakatutuok sa basketball doon, more on studies lang. Nu’ng senior high school, nag-iba ‘yung school ko, doon din sa Antipolo pero naging varsity player na ako sa Our Lady of Peace School."
(Growing up, I like basketball, but due to financial problems, I went to just a regular school in Infant Jesus Academy in Antipolo. It's a school and they do not focus on basketball there, it's more on studies. When I was in senior high school, I transferred to another school in Antipolo where i became a varsity player in Our Lady of Peace School.)
Then the pandemic hit, forcing the world to stop momentarily.
But not Martin.
"Tapos nag-pandemic, nag-grind talaga ako and hinintay ko lang ‘yung opportunity na darating sa college. Thankful ako na nag-grind talaga ako," the 5-foot-10 point guard added.
(During the pandemic, I took the grind and waited for the opportunity that college will bring. Thankfully, I ddi the grind.)
Martin then tried his luck at EAC in 2022 as he started his college stint, but he was placed in Team B due to the Generals' stacked backcourt, which included his brother.
Ralph played for EAC since Season 94 and was a big part in the school's rise that was highlighted by a stellar run in his senior year in Season 99, where he posted 10.61 points, 1.78 rebounds, and 2.06 assists as EAC wound up with a 9-9 card.
Although they would no longer be playing together in the NCAA, Martin reminisced about the time they competed in a different league wearing the same EAC uniform.
"Nagkaaabot naman kami pero sa ibang liga lang. For me, once in a lifetime lang po siya kaya tinreasure ko talaga ‘yung moment na makalaro ko ‘yung role model ko," he added.
"Hindi ko makakalimutan ‘yung experience na ‘yon and marami akong natutunan sa kaniya, as a person and as a player. Tinuro niya sa akin kung paano dalhin ‘yung sarili ko sa loob ng court at sa labas."
(We were together but we were in a different league. For me, that was once in a lifetime so I really treasured playing with my role model. I will not forget that experience and I learned a lot from him as a person and as a player. He taught me how to bring myself on and off the court.)
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
