By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Paul Barcelona of the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts is continuing his high school basketball career with the De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers in the UAAP boys basketball tournament.

According to the Bacolod City-native guard, being recruited by Junior Archers head coach Boris Aldeguer is a fulfillment of his childhood dream to play in Manila-based leagues someday.

“I am feeling excited and positive for this new learning opportunity given to me to play in one of the most sought-after schools in the basketball world in La Salle,” Barcelona said in an interview with Watchmen Daily Journal yesterday.

“I am giving my full commitment to enhance and work hard for my team in every tournament possible. I know it is not going to be easy, but I will strive hard to make it happen,” he added.

Barcelona previously played for the St. John’s Institute-Bacolod Falcons squad before moving to the Thunderbolts, whose 3×3 squad he recently helped to a bronze medal finish in the 2024 Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City.

Paul’s father, Pete Barcelona, shared that it was the Junior Archers coaching staff who contacted Thunderbolts head coach Nico Lopingco about the possibility of recruiting his son.

“De La Salle Zobel contacted coach Nico to ask if Paul was available, and then nung sinamahan niya si Paul sa Zobel, he liked it there, so that’s how he committed to them,” Pete said.

“As Paul’s father, I am just grateful for every great chance that Paul has, and I’m happy that great coaches and schools were able to notice his skills and drive when it comes to playing basketball,” he added.

Paul, who currently stands 6-foot-1, hopes that his upcoming two-year stint with the Junior Archers will help him land a spot on the De La Salle University Green Archers team in college.

“If possible, I would want to be part of the [Green Archers] team come college time. They have one of the best basketball programs in the country and also one of the top schools where I can attain excellent academic education,” Barcelona said.

“But I will just continue to work and play hard to improve my skills so that wherever my future journey in basketball takes me, I am going to give my best shot for the team,” he added./ASC, WDJ