It's a much-used saying, but there's a reason why the phrase "diamonds are made under pressure" endures.
In the NBA Rising Stars Invitational Philippines Qualifiers, there can only be two winners in the boys' and girls' tournaments. And even then, they will face tougher opponents against other high school teams in the Asia Pacific.
In the first two days of the competitions, some squads have suffered blowout losses. The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Cubs on Thursday absorbed a 49-75 defeat to the National University Nazareth School (NUNS) Bullpups, in a rematch of their UAAP Season 87 finals matchup.
[ALSO READ: LSCA delivers thriller, NUNS takes revenge in NBA Rising Stars Invitational-PH Qualifiers]
"Siguro physically and mentally, 'di prepared mga player namin kaya ganun kataas 'yung tambak. Pero that's part of basketball," UST coach Noli Mejos said. "Ginigising ko sila pero nakatulog pa rin sila hangang third and fourth."
"Bawi na lang, may game pa bukas."
For San Antonio Spurs star Jeremy Sochan, what a player does next after a tough loss or after hitting that barrier or self-doubt is vital for their growth.
"I'd be in the same shoes as them at times. But I think for me, you want to be in those situations. That's how you get better," Sochan told NBA TV Philippines and One Sports. "That's how you learn about yourself as a player, as a human. You want to be in those situations."
As they say, when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. And that includes doing the hard work and being open to new roles.
"You're gonna figure it out in some type of way. And that means you might have to work hard, you might have to realize some things or talk to your coaches, talk to your teammates," Sochan added. "Keep working, don't skip steps, step out of your comfort zone, just keep going."
"Don't worry about scoring, everyone has a role so just find that and be yourself."
The NBA Rising Stars Invitational Philippines Qualifiers aim to find the best teams to represent the country in the league’s first regional high-school basketball tournament, which will feature boys’ and girls’ teams from 11 countries and territories across Asia-Pacific competing in Singapore from June 25-29.
And for Sochan, who is Polish-American, NBA players can really come from anywhere. The Spurs, after all, also get their best from countries like France, Argentina, and Australia.
So why not the Philippines?
[ALSO READ: Jeremy Sochan believes Philippines a 'perfect spot' to host NBA Global Games anew]
"I'm trying to inspire, motivate them," he said. "It's not all about talent. I think it's about how bad you want it. Bring the energy, play hard, be respectful to the basketball gods and anyone can make it."
"It depends on how you want it. Of course, there is some luck to it too. I believe anyone in this world can make it," Sochan said of playing in the NBA.
So when you hit that wall and that doubt, take it from Sochan.
"At the end of the day, you have to find joy in it. Just want it, you need to want it."
@onesportsphl [tg vid] Jeremy Sochan talks hoops culture, hopes for NBA game in PH | #OSOnTheSpot ‘THIS WOULD BE A PERFECT SPOT FOR AN NBA GAME ONE DAY’ 🏀🇵🇭 San Antonio Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan is soaking in the love during his visit to the Philippines, hoping the NBA brings a Global Game to the country. | via Pao Ambat/One Sports #OneSports #OSOnTheSpot #NBA ? original sound - OneSportsPHL
The NBA Rising Stars Invitational Philippines Qualifiers will hold its finals on May 10, Saturday, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The boys' and girls' finals will be aired on One Sports, NBA TV Philippines, and the Pilipinas Live app.
@onesportsphl ONE FUN DAY 🏀💥 San Antonio Spurs' Jeremy Sochan is all smiles as he chats about his time so far in the Philippines, gives his take on the NBA Rising Stars Invitational, and answers some fun questions for social media. | via Aivan Episcope/One Sports #NBA #NBARisingStarsInvitational #OSOnTheSpot #OneSports ? original sound - OneSportsPHL
