UP grad now New York Knicks assistant athletic trainer

A Philippine-trained physical therapist is now the first Filipino to be on the medical staff of teams from the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball.

 

Erwin Valencia, who studied at University of the Philippines-Manila and De La Salle Zobel, now finds himself working as a physical therapist and assistant athletic trainer for the New York Knicks in the NBA.

 

"I was 18 years old when I decided that I was going to be the first Filipino Medical Professional, raised and educated in the Philippines (go DLSZ & UP-Manila!), to be Full-Time in the NBA," said Valencia in a public Facebook post. "The journey here took me to through more than 13 years of school, encompassing seven US States, four countries, more than 50 mentors, a #blessed 8-year stint in Major League Baseball, and a 2-year almost 300,000 mile visit around the planet for inspiration and education, all the while fine tuning my skills as a Clinical Expert and harnessing my inner gift as a #MindfullnessMaverick to have me ready for this moment."

 

 

 

Valencia started with the Knicks in September. Previously, he was the MLB Rehabilitaion Director of the Pittsburgh Pirates for eight seasons.

 

"Tonight, as my name is announced on the court of Madison Square Garden, "The World's Most Famous Arena", prior to my New York Knicks play our first regular season game against the Chicago Bulls, my throat will be lumpy, my eyes will be watery, and my heart will be filled, because I've not only fulfilled a dream I've had since I was 18, but because I've helped fulfill the dreams of many young Filipinos back home who've otherwise thought the task impossible," Valencia added. "Immense #GRATITUDE to all of you that joined me in this journey. I promise to continue to live my life #BeyondMedyo"

 

After studying in the Philippines, Valencia took his Master's degree at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, before obtaining his post-graduate fellowship from Yale University. In 2011, he finished the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Florida. He is now working on two other degrees — a doctoral certificate from Regis University and a Ph.D. from Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand. — Renee Fopalan/JST, GMA News