Basketball Hot Shot Anjo Caram Ready To Defend The Crown

credits to PULA/Manila Bulletin

Basketball hot shot San Beda Red Lion Anjo Caram is set to defend the championship crown.

Antonio Jose "Anjo" Caram never expected to enter collegiate basketball because of his height.

But he slowly gained confidence as a point guard for the San Beda Red Lions in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). With his quickness and ball handling skills, coupled with hard work, the 5’7’’ Anjo has definitely made his mark in the Red Lion's den.

The Iloilo native was discovered by former PBA player Bong Ravena. The scouting staff of San Beda went all the way to Saint Joseph School in Iloilo City to see how he plays.

“I really want to play for a school here in Manila. It has been my dream since I was a kid. My mother and father were former varsity players at their schools in Iloilo so it’s probably in the genes. I started playing around seven years old until I became part of the varsity team when I was in grade 4,” Anjo relates.

After every team practice, Anjo makes sure to spend extra minutes on the court to practice some more on his own, shooting from different angles. Outside of basketball, he mostly spends his time hanging out with his teammates and focusing on his studies.

The Marketing and Corporate Communications senior hopes to contribute to the San Beda dynasty not only a winning basketball career but a promising business career as well.

What can you say about the rising popularity of football in the country? I’m not really a big fan of football. But it’s nice that football has become more popular because of the Azkals.

In playing basketball, which is more important, the physical built or basketball skills? There’s really an advantage if you are tall because basketball is really about the height. Pero kung maliit ka, you still have an advantage in terms of speed. You can move faster and quicker. Pero wala naman talaga sa height ‘yan. What’s important are your guts and passion for the sport.

What goes through your mind during games? I just keep my focus on our game plan. Here in San Beda, it’s all about winning. I just focus so I can do my part in winning the game for our team. As a rookie, I would get distracted by the audience. I also got a little conscious about my game because NCAA is televised. Pero nung nagtagal, nasanay na rin.

Do you have any rituals before a game? I pray that no one gets injured and that we win.

Is there a player from your fiercest rival that you admire? Our fiercest competition is San Sebastian. There are good players in their team but I can’t think of one player that really stands out. I consider us more as equals.

If you are to play one-on-one with someone, who would it be? Si Michael Jordan. Kawawa ako sa kanya kapag nag one-on-one kami. Everybody loves Michael Jordan. Winning six championships for the Chicago Bulls in the NBA is no joke. I like his competitive nature, ‘yung ayaw niyang magpatalo. He loves taking those last minute pressure shots. And that’s one of the qualities of a good basketball player, hindi nagpapadala sa pressure.

What team do you think you will play against if you reach the championships? There are a lot of strong teams this season. Ang Mapua lumakas din. We will just do our best to win the championship again.

What do you consider your most memorable game? The most memorable would be last year when we did a sweep, we won all our games in the season. That was a first in the history of NCAA.

What’s the craziest thing a fan has done to you? Bigla na lang akong hinalikan sa cheek. Noong nag champion kami last year, we had a bonfire here at San Beda, nagulat na lang ako nang bigla na lang may humalik. I didn’t see who it was.

How has basketball changed your life? Basketball is my life. I’ve been playing since I was a kid. I don’t see myself doing anything else. I learned discipline early on because of basketball.

What is the worst stereotype that you’ve heard about student-athletes? That we take our studies for granted. That’s not true.

What if you don’t succeed in basketball? You need to have a stable career and education is important to back you up.

What do you consider your biggest achievement so far? My biggest achievement would have to be bringing pride to San Beda. You make your fellow Bedans happy, you make the community happy. I also made my parents happy and proud. ‘Yun ang pinakamasarap.

What does it take to be the best basketball player? There are ups and downs in basketball, just don’t give up. It is important to have self-discipline and to work hard every single day. You have to be optimistic all the time. ‘Yun din ang advice ng parents ko sa akin.

What’s the best thing about being a Red Lion? Everybody here supports each other in whatever endeavor, either in academics or in sports. There’s brotherhood. You get support from the whole Bedan community and you get recognized for your hard work. Kaya masarap maging Bedista.