"The way I motivate my self is by dedicating everyday to my family. Without them I would not be who I am today, so everyday when I wake up
I think of them and ways on how can i make myself better, because I
want to make them proud."
It didn't take long for GlobalPort fans to be impressed with rookie AJ Mandani. The moment he stepped on the court for the first time as a Batang Pier, he immediately showed some neat ballhandling, connecting on tough lay-ups and made a couple of jumpers. He finished the game with 13 points, and even though GlobalPort fell to Ginebra that night, people were introduced to the exciting brand of basketball that AJ can offer.
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| photo courtesy of the PBA |
It didn't take long for GlobalPort fans to be impressed with rookie AJ Mandani. The moment he stepped on the court for the first time as a Batang Pier, he immediately showed some neat ballhandling, connecting on tough lay-ups and made a couple of jumpers. He finished the game with 13 points, and even though GlobalPort fell to Ginebra that night, people were introduced to the exciting brand of basketball that AJ can offer.
AJ was generous enough to grant us a Q&A, where he talks about his personal outlooks, home, and basketball.
1. Can you tell us a little about your Filipino roots?
AJ: "My grandfather raised my mom and her siblings in Tondo before moving to Canada, seeking to explore his dream as an international tailor. I grew up without my father and was raised by mom's side of the family (Pinoy) my whole life."
2. How’s life here in the Philippines? What was your biggest adjustment upon first arriving here?
AJ: "Life in the Philippines is amazing. I'm seeing the culture that my family was raising us by but now I'm living it first hand, the way we eat , the respect shown and given to your elders calling them kuya and ate.. Being very close and family oriented. I'm now seeing the way my mom and her siblings grew up and the way they influenced it on me and my brothers, sisters and cousins back in Canada."
"The biggest adjustment for me was first the weather, the heat and humidity is totally different than living in Canada .. The gyms were extremely hot making it hard for my body to function, but after a few weeks I got use to it abit, still at times I will complain how hot it is during practice lol."
3. At what age did you start playing basketball?
AJ: "I started playing basketball around age 7-8, watching my brother play during elementary. I would have to sit there and wait for his practices to finish, so I decided to pick up a ball and play on the sideline until I learned the real concept of the game and just fell in love with the sport."
4. Who are your basketball idols growing up?
AJ: "My brother was my first idol. I used to look up to him and want to be just like him, then I started watching the NBA where I noticed players like Michael Jordan and Tim Hardaway."
5. Did anybody influence you to pursue a career in pro basketball here or was it in your plans all along?
AJ: "Well growing up playing in Filipino community leagues back home, people used to tell me when I get older I should take my talent to the motherland and further my career, but it wasn't till I got out of university that my mom and brother sat down and really started the discussion having the opportunity of moving to the Philippines and have the chance to honor my grandparents by living and understanding the true culture in which they were from and raised us by."
6. If you could play one-on-one against any player, past or current, who would it be?
AJ: "I would want to play one on one with Michael Jordan. He is just the greatest player to ever play the game."
7. So far in your first year in the league, who was the toughest player to guard?
AJ: "For me the hardest person to guard would be Sol Mercado. He's big, he's fast, he can beat you off the dribble or knock down the jumper. Now that we're teammates I guard him everyday and use it as a learning opportunity to try and take my game to another level."
8. How do you unwind when you’re not playing basketball?
AJ: "When I'm not playing basketball I usually watch movies at home or I also like to go bowling with some of my friends."
9. What do you do in the offseason/ between conferences?
AJ: "Well this offseason I stayed in Manila and trained to prepare my self for the upcoming conference. Being a rookie there is alot to learn and I wanted to take advantage of my free time to get better and try to help make a difference for my team."
10. What’s your favorite or go-to move in basketball?
AJ: "My go-to-move is the crossover to a pull-up jumper.. I use the cross over to get space between me and the defender then pull-up for a shot when he is out of reach."
11. What other aspects in your game are you working to improve?
AJ: "Well this is my first time actually playing a PURE point guard position so I'm working on trying to read the floor at all times, trying to get people involved where they are most effective. And when to and when not to attack."
12. Who among your teammates are you closest to?
AJ: "I'd have to say Kelly Nabong, we are like brothers. I met him the very first day I landed in the Philippines being team mates on Cebuana in the first D-league conference and we've been on the same team throughout our D league career. Now with the trade we are teammates again in the PBA , it's funny how things work out."
13. If AJ Mandani wasn’t a professional basketball player, what would he be?
AJ: "If I wasn't a pro player, I would be somewhere coaching. I would want to still be a part of the sport even when my career is over; inspiring young players to develop their game and then teach them about the opportunity playing basketball can bring them through personal experience (traveling, living in different places an seeing different life styles and cultures , free education.)"
14. Do you have pregame rituals?
AJ: "My pregame ritual would be getting a hair cut early in the morning, watching basketball DVDs while I'm stretching before heading to the arena .. Then just listen to music while in the locker room until its time to hit the court."
15. What is the best thing about playing in the PBA?
AJ: "The best thing about about playing in the PBA is going up against the top players in the country while entertaining. The fans... they really love basketball out here and it's an honor to be among the select few and putting on a show for everyone that's watching."
16. How do you motivate yourself?
AJ: "The way I motivate my self is by dedicating everyday to my family. without them I would not be who I am today, so everyday when I wake up I think of them and ways on how can i make myself better, because I want to make them proud."
17. What’s your personal goal for this season?
AJ: "My personal goal is to just learn as much as I can from the vets (Sol , Gary, Willie) and to just play my role to help win championships."
18. Any favorite Filipino food?
AJ: "Favorite foods.. crispy pata, sisig, kare kare , fresh buko juice."
19. What do you miss most back home?
AJ: "The most thing I miss most about being back in Canada is just spending time with my family, we are all really close and would see each other almost on a daily basis, so me being the only one away, can be hard at times."
20. Any message to all diehard GlobalPort fans?
AJ: "To all the GlobalPort fans we really appreciate all the love and support. Please continue as we will try to win championships for you all, thank you we really appreciate it..."
1. Can you tell us a little about your Filipino roots?
AJ: "My grandfather raised my mom and her siblings in Tondo before moving to Canada, seeking to explore his dream as an international tailor. I grew up without my father and was raised by mom's side of the family (Pinoy) my whole life."
2. How’s life here in the Philippines? What was your biggest adjustment upon first arriving here?
AJ: "Life in the Philippines is amazing. I'm seeing the culture that my family was raising us by but now I'm living it first hand, the way we eat , the respect shown and given to your elders calling them kuya and ate.. Being very close and family oriented. I'm now seeing the way my mom and her siblings grew up and the way they influenced it on me and my brothers, sisters and cousins back in Canada."
"The biggest adjustment for me was first the weather, the heat and humidity is totally different than living in Canada .. The gyms were extremely hot making it hard for my body to function, but after a few weeks I got use to it abit, still at times I will complain how hot it is during practice lol."
3. At what age did you start playing basketball?
AJ: "I started playing basketball around age 7-8, watching my brother play during elementary. I would have to sit there and wait for his practices to finish, so I decided to pick up a ball and play on the sideline until I learned the real concept of the game and just fell in love with the sport."
4. Who are your basketball idols growing up?
AJ: "My brother was my first idol. I used to look up to him and want to be just like him, then I started watching the NBA where I noticed players like Michael Jordan and Tim Hardaway."
5. Did anybody influence you to pursue a career in pro basketball here or was it in your plans all along?
AJ: "Well growing up playing in Filipino community leagues back home, people used to tell me when I get older I should take my talent to the motherland and further my career, but it wasn't till I got out of university that my mom and brother sat down and really started the discussion having the opportunity of moving to the Philippines and have the chance to honor my grandparents by living and understanding the true culture in which they were from and raised us by."
6. If you could play one-on-one against any player, past or current, who would it be?
AJ: "I would want to play one on one with Michael Jordan. He is just the greatest player to ever play the game."
7. So far in your first year in the league, who was the toughest player to guard?
AJ: "For me the hardest person to guard would be Sol Mercado. He's big, he's fast, he can beat you off the dribble or knock down the jumper. Now that we're teammates I guard him everyday and use it as a learning opportunity to try and take my game to another level."
8. How do you unwind when you’re not playing basketball?
AJ: "When I'm not playing basketball I usually watch movies at home or I also like to go bowling with some of my friends."
9. What do you do in the offseason/ between conferences?
AJ: "Well this offseason I stayed in Manila and trained to prepare my self for the upcoming conference. Being a rookie there is alot to learn and I wanted to take advantage of my free time to get better and try to help make a difference for my team."
10. What’s your favorite or go-to move in basketball?
AJ: "My go-to-move is the crossover to a pull-up jumper.. I use the cross over to get space between me and the defender then pull-up for a shot when he is out of reach."
 |
| photo courtesy of the PBA |
11. What other aspects in your game are you working to improve?
AJ: "Well this is my first time actually playing a PURE point guard position so I'm working on trying to read the floor at all times, trying to get people involved where they are most effective. And when to and when not to attack."
12. Who among your teammates are you closest to?
AJ: "I'd have to say Kelly Nabong, we are like brothers. I met him the very first day I landed in the Philippines being team mates on Cebuana in the first D-league conference and we've been on the same team throughout our D league career. Now with the trade we are teammates again in the PBA , it's funny how things work out."
13. If AJ Mandani wasn’t a professional basketball player, what would he be?
AJ: "If I wasn't a pro player, I would be somewhere coaching. I would want to still be a part of the sport even when my career is over; inspiring young players to develop their game and then teach them about the opportunity playing basketball can bring them through personal experience (traveling, living in different places an seeing different life styles and cultures , free education.)"
14. Do you have pregame rituals?
AJ: "My pregame ritual would be getting a hair cut early in the morning, watching basketball DVDs while I'm stretching before heading to the arena .. Then just listen to music while in the locker room until its time to hit the court."
15. What is the best thing about playing in the PBA?
AJ: "The best thing about about playing in the PBA is going up against the top players in the country while entertaining. The fans... they really love basketball out here and it's an honor to be among the select few and putting on a show for everyone that's watching."
16. How do you motivate yourself?
AJ: "The way I motivate my self is by dedicating everyday to my family. without them I would not be who I am today, so everyday when I wake up I think of them and ways on how can i make myself better, because I want to make them proud."
17. What’s your personal goal for this season?
AJ: "My personal goal is to just learn as much as I can from the vets (Sol , Gary, Willie) and to just play my role to help win championships."
18. Any favorite Filipino food?
AJ: "Favorite foods.. crispy pata, sisig, kare kare , fresh buko juice."
19. What do you miss most back home?
AJ: "The most thing I miss most about being back in Canada is just spending time with my family, we are all really close and would see each other almost on a daily basis, so me being the only one away, can be hard at times."
20. Any message to all diehard GlobalPort fans?
AJ: "To all the GlobalPort fans we really appreciate all the love and support. Please continue as we will try to win championships for you all, thank you we really appreciate it..."
STAND UP DUDE
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