The high-flying Chris Lalata of Bicol
Volcanoes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is gradually
making name in the Philippine basketball scene. He had been in many dunking
competitions in the last three years of his stint as a ball player.
Seeing him play for the first time in television for the Olivares College and Technological Institute of the Philippines in the season three of the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) in 2018, I immediately browsed Facebook to initiate a contact with him. And we did.
Lalata is known for his power plays. I call his leaper Rooster Dunk. If basketball is a cockfight, he is our manok na llamado, so to speak. Incidentally, he is lovingly called “Manok” by his close friends and bosom buddies in the loop house. He was born and raised in Barangay Mangarin here in San Jose in January 9, 1995. He practically grew in a breeding farm for fighting cocks in their community.
Chris is the son of my classmate Baltazar (or Balting) way back in 1977 or 1978 who was a basketball player himself. He played in various teams in San Jose Summer Basketball League (SJSBL). Like his father before him, Chris, at 6’5, also plays the center position. He roots for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA and a solid Barangay Ginebra fan. In the PBA, he idolizes Japeth Aguilar, Mark Yee and Calvin Abueva.
Lalata’s recent feather on his cap is when he represented the country as member of the MPBL-All Star in Calgary, Canada and that was in December 27 to 28 only last year (2019). Also seen action in the All-Star games are Bacoor's Gab Banal; Davao Occidental's Mark Yee; Manila's Aris Dionisio and Chris Bitoon; Valenzuela's Paulo Hubalde and Val Acuna; Pampanga's Michael Juico; Batangas' Jeff Viernes and Jhaymo Eguilos; Imus' Anderson; and Sarangani City's Spencer Eman. Lalata represented the Bicol Volcanoes in said basketball tour abroad and he is youngest member of the squad.
Chris Lalata was featured in a Facebook personal blog called “Im a Baller” today, July 16, 2020. Recalling his early days as a student and a ball player, he said, “Nahasa din ako nang nahasa sa TRIZJJAM [his former team during his youthful days]. Hanggang sa kinuha din ako ng Pedro T. Mendiola na school ko noong high school para maglaro sa MIMAROPA. 4th year ako that time at in-invite din kami ni Coach Boy Cortado maglaro sa inter-town ng Sablayan.” To those who are willing to know the basketball journey of Chris Lalata, from the old court of Mangarin to Juan G. Santos Memorial Gym, as cager for the St. Francis of Assisi College, to Olivarez College, to Muntinlupa and the Bicol Volcanoes of the MPBL, you may read it directly from Im a Baller. It’s worth reading if you are from the locality, I tell you.
Local basketball player and now Sablayan councilor Jaebee Dawates, who once tried out for the University of the East (UE) Warriors, is greatly amazed how Lalata was able to fine tune his craft since his San Jose days and reached this far. Dawates was a member of the champion team SK-Barangay III way back in 2011 when Lalata was still awkward in his dribbling and shooting. The latter has no match with the former then, defense and offense-wise.
But with Lalata’s big heart for the game and perseverance to succeed, he already jumpstarted his basketball career. Incidentally, Dawates, for one reason or another, did not make it to the UE varsity team. Unlike Chris Lalata who qualified at once to play under the banner of his school, the St. Francis of Assisi College.
Be in the Big League, big man. Make your town mates proud.
Be the next great basketball player born in San Jose. Next to the great Caloy Loyzaga.
References:
https://rappler.com/sports/mpbl-all-star-squads-take-act-calgary-edmonton-canada
https://www.facebook.com/Im-a-Baller-100310224981310
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