Arellano Chiefs’ Jade Talampas recalls learnings from basketball legend Ato Badolato

Before he became shooting guard for Arellano Chiefs, Jade Talampas played for three years at his high school alma mater San Beda University.

According to Chino Trinidad’s “24 Oras” report Friday, that’s where Jade was mentored by Philippine basketball legend, the late Ato Badolato.

“’Yung pagiging strict niya, hanggang ngayon po, siyempre three years din ako diyan sa San Beda, hanggang ngayon medyo naadadala ko pa ’yun eh,” said Jade.

“Pag pumupunta ako sa canteen ng Arellano, napapaisip ako, oops naka-tsinelas yata ako, baka may sumita sa ’kin.”

Apart from learning basketball skills from Coach Ato, who had taken home 16 NCAA junior titles, Jade treasured one of the most important values he got from the basketball legend.

“Matter of being disciplined talaga, kumbaga kahit saan ka pumunta, lalo na kung graduate ka ng Beda, pangatawanan mo ’yan, alumni ka diyan,” said the 6’3” Arellano University star player.

“Dapat kahit saan ka pumunta, ’yung datingan mo, medyo hindi naman sa substandard, pero dapat pormal ka pa rin.”

Jade said his goal was to become a professional basketball player.

“Kung papalarin po, someday makalaro po ako. Laking privilege po ’yun sa akin na hindi lang sa part ko, kumbaga mai-represent ko rin ’yung province ko na kahit papaano, mayroong isang player na nakarating din po sa PBA,” he said. – RC, GMA News