To say that basketball is a popular sport in the Philippines is a bit of an understatement, considering that kids are taught how to play the game at a very young age. Almost every community in the country has their own basketball court and when they don’t have one, they make do with jerry-built boards and rings propped up on the streets. For many, this is where dreams of becoming a basketball star are made.
JC “The Rocket” Intal was one of those kids who dreamed big. With his determination and hard work, this former Ateneo cager was able to step foot in the PBA, and more importantly, excel in the country’s premier basketball league. In fact, he was chosen to be a part of the Gilas 3.0 lineup a few years back, a team that would eventually finish an impressive Silver in the 2015 Fiba Asia Championships.
Now a leader and one of the reliable veterans of his team – Phoenix Fuel Masters, JC looks to pay it forward and share his gifts to the next generation. Last December 2017, he visited Manila Boystown Complex in Marikina and conducted the True Boss Basketball Camp powered by LD Systems with fellow Fuel Master, RJ Jazul, and team manager, Paolo Bugia, along with 30 kids aged 9 to 13.
“The camp teaches the basics of the game like shooting, passing and dribbling, but we also emphasize values like discipline and being able to listen well.”, JC shared. “We make sure that the lessons can be applied in their day-to-day lives as well, not just on the court”, he added.
Seeing JC driving past through his defenders and slamming it home has always been a sight to behold. Coaching kids the fundamentals of the game proved to be a different challenge for The Rocket. “In my years of doing basketball camps, I discovered that having a good sound system can be so important. The kids must be able to hear your instructions well, and the coaches must be able to speak effortlessly without having to shout”, JC shared. Fortunately, he also plays another role off the court as a brand spokesperson for LD Systems, a global pro audio brand of the Adam Hall Group that is based in Germany.
“I’m very impressed with LD Systems – from the speakers to the mics. I use LD Systems in all of my camps and even at home”, JC added. LD Systems offers a variety of professional sound systems which caters to varying needs of consumers. JC, a self-confessed audiophile, considers the LD Systems Dave 8 Roadie as his favorite. “I just love it! It’s small yet it sounds amazing. I have one in my living room, and it’s always a treat when I listen to music or watch movies with my family”.
To help out JC, LD Systems treated the kids to some snacks and gave away special jerseys to the participants. JC & Co. also awarded special signed basketballs to the kids who have performed well in the camp. “It really inspires me when I hear their stories and see how passionate the kids are. Basketball has done so much for me and this is my own little way of giving back”, JC said.
Karina is not your ordinary supermom. She juggles her time bonding with her three amazing kids while being in the loop on the latest happenings in the tech and lifestyle scene. Follow me on Instagram (@digitalfilipina) regularly visit www.digitalfilipina.com for daily dose of updates not just for moms but for everyone!
