UP’s Fil-Spanish Cager Pio “Sharpshooter Heartthrob“ Longa in Brink of Stardom
By: Paolo Manuel C. Fule
From being an SHS-Ateneo
de Cebu Magi some years ago to
testing the cudgels of UP Fighting Maroons this
year, Pio Longa has become a matured
playmaker for his new team and campus. Being in the roster to play for your respective school is a privilege in itself, but helping them to make your team at the top of their game is also another duty. And it is never an easy task for any student just like Pio.
Born
Jose Piero Dominic M. Longa on September
13, 1997 to Mr. Javier P. Longa and
Ms. Carla Moňozca-Longa in Bacolod City,
the 6-foot-1 shooting guard of the UP Fighting
Maroons is currently taking up Sports
Science now in his sophomore year.
“I
try to make sure that I allot time for both my
studies and my sports but of course, it should
be studies first” said Pio on how he handles
basketball and his studies in UP. His
favorite NBA player is Larry Bird of
the
Boston Celtics. His jersey number is 10
even when he was still with the Ateneo de
Cebu because it was his father’s number before.
His pre-game rituals include stretching
and listening to music.
If
there is an NBA player whom he can have a one-on-one match with, it would be
NBA legend Larry Bird. “He is my ultimate idol and his advice would be very
useful” said Pio.
“My Dad taught me to play the sport that is
why I owe this to him”, quipped Pio. His ambition in life is to become a
professional basketball player.
*Photo by Mr. Del Mundo
