A YOUNG basketball star has returned from school overseas to play alongside his dad in the 2015 Philippine Collegiate Basketball tournament which starts on Sunday, March 29, at the PCYC Marrickville stadium.
By JAIME K PIMENTEL
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Sixteen-year-old Travis Mantua, who plays for the Ateneo de Cebu’s Magis juniors, took a break from school to play with the old man, Gerry Mantua, for the Ateneo Sea Eagles.
The happy reunion will also have them playing alongside each other on the court: In attack, Travis takes point-guard position on the right, and Gerry plays shooting guard on the left.
Travis’ classmate Jeremy Nacua has also returned just to play for the Sea Eagles at the Collegiate Games.
The son of Joselito and Erlinda Nacua, Jeremy has won basketball awards in Sydney including one Most Valuable Player trophy and coaches’ citations.
He was a school rep at the Parramatta Diocese Secondary School Sport Council in 2012 and 2013. Jeremy was selected by BasketballNSW to play in Sydney’s first Super Development League in 2012, and was named Best Defensive Player of the Year in the U16s Division 1 representative level
Travis began playing the game at age seven with the U10s of St Clair Basketball Association, then playing rep basketball U12s at age10, in Division 2 with Penrith Panthers Association, and in the U16s Blacktown Storm that took part in the 2013 NSW State championships.
Travis is the eldest son of Gerardo Mantua and Rogelia Rigor Mantua.
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PICTURES: Top – Travis Mantua, left, defending against his dad Gerry, right, in training with the Ateneo Sea Eagles. Lower – Travis Mantua sets up for a three-pointer at practice with the Sea Eagles.
