43-year-old PBA Draft applicant inspired by Helterbrand, Taulava

Jane Bracher

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43-year-old PBA Draft applicant inspired by Helterbrand, Taulava
Charley Caluya, who's nearly twice as old as most PBA Rookie Draft applicants, says, 'There's no age limit to dreaming, as long as the Lord gave you talent'

MANILA, Philippines – Charley Caluya stood out among the 55 rookie aspirants at the Gatorade Hoops Gym in Mandaluyong on Wednesday, October 26. He was easily the skinniest and the shortest in the bunch. But ultimately he drew media attention as the oldest applicant in this year’s PBA Rookie Draft.

The 43-year-old Caluya is nearly twice as old as most of his competition that include prospective top pick Mac Belo and other national team cadets Jio Jalalon, Kevin Ferrer, and Ed Daquioag, among others. (READ: Fil-Am Ryan Arambulo, Mac Belo top day 1 of PBA Rookie Draft Combine)

But the native of Sitio de Asis, San Martin de Porres, in Parañaque said he is only chasing his dream to play in the PBA. He draws inspiration from other veterans like Jayjay Helterbrand, 40, and Asi Taulava, 43.

Actually longtime dream ko ‘to eh, ever since I was in Grade 4. ‘Yung mga nakaraan taon, hindi ko alam paano gagawin. But I never stopped playing basketball, I never stopped dreaming,” the 5-foot-6 Caluya said during a break in the draft combine. 

(Actually this has been my longtime dream, ever since I was in Grade 4In the past years I didn’t know how to apply. But I never stopped playing basketball, I never stopped dreaming.)  

Sabi nga nila wala sa edad ‘yan kung mangarap ka. As long as binigyan ka ng talent ni Lord, gamitin mo.” (They say there’s no age limit to dreaming, as long as the Lord gave you talent, use it.)

Caluya, whose only playing experience is at the barangay level, said he never applied for the draft because he did not know how to do so.

But right before Game 4 of the recent Governors’ Cup Finals between Ginebra and Meralco, Caluya and his friends found their way to the PBA office in Libis in search of elusive tickets. He decided right then and there to submit an application.

Siyempre sinasabi nila matanda na ako. Pero ‘yung nanay ko nung nanood ng championship sa sitio namin, nakita niya talaga ‘yung talent ko and kung paano ako mahalin ng crowd,” said Caluya, whose a fan of San Miguel Beer, Star Hotshots, and Ginebra, and whose all-time favorite coach is Yeng Guiao.

Nung una ayoko sabihin sa kanila, kasi siyempre kahit mga kaklase ko sasabihin matanda na ako. Pero may pangarap pa rin ako eh.

(Of course my friends and family told me I’m too old already. But my mother watched me play the championship at our village and she saw my talent and how much the crowd loved me. At first I didn’t want to tell people because even my classmates would say I’m too old. But this is my dream.)


Caluya, who plays basketball every Wednesday, is in between jobs. He used to work as an english teacher at a Korean school and as medical representative. He has a wife of 10 years but does not have any children.

He likes to play with the kids in his community. He turned glassy-eyed when he said part of the reason he joined the draft was because he wanted to have the means to help those underprivileged kids.

Kaya ‘pag nakakakita ako sa amin ng mga batang kalye na hindi nakakapag-aral, hindi halos kumakain, naaano ‘yung loob ko,” he said. “Kaya sabi ko someday matutulungan ko rin kayo.”

(When I see those kids in the streets that could not go to school or barely eat, I feel sad. I told them someday I’ll be able to help them.)

Caluya is also a fan of retired NBA legend Kobe Bryant, saying he has mimicked the Lakers star’s play. He is often referred to as “Kobe” by the people he plays with. He said he even adapted Bryant’s famed “Kobe [Mamba] Mentality.”

The probability that Caluya will get selected on Sunday, October 30, is very low, but the experience of joining the draft alone is something he won’t forget.

At least blessing na rin ‘to sa akin,” he said. “Hindi man ako makuha, nandito na ako eh.” (At least this is already a blessing for me. I might not get it, but I’m here.)  Rappler.com 

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