Dennis Santos was on cloud nine when he was named as part of the four players that will compose Manila Chooks in the 2021 FIBA 3X3 World Tour Doha Masters which begins on Friday.
“Hindi ko talaga na-imagine na mangyayari ito, kaya sobrang thankful talaga ako na makasama dito,” said Santos during an episode of Crossover Inside the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Bubble.
But who is Dennis Santos, and what did chief trainer Aldin Ayo see in him?
For starters, Santos is a 30-year-old native of Bulacan who stands at 6-foot-5. Despite his size, he is a three-point bomber in the 5-on-5 game.
He is also a product of Jinino Manansala’s St. Clare basketball program. But unlike his batchmate Jammer Jamito and, later on, Aris Dionisio, he has yet to find his true potential.
During the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season, Santos was one of the homegrown talents of the Kuyas. He averaged 7.6 points on 28.0-percent shooting from distance and 4.0 rebounds in 31 games played.
So what is lacking in Santos that would lead him to make the leap? It’s his frame.
Good thing Ayo and strength and conditioning coach Joph Cleopas have given him the right formula to increase his mass.
“Sobrang talagang naga-adjust ako, kasi talagang sobrang pisikal sa practice pa lang. Talagang ginagawa na namin eh, banggaan na talaga,” shared Santos.
“Nandiyan lagi sila coach para tulungan ako sa mga dapat gawin, kung paano palalakasin ‘yung katawan ko.”
Prior to being tapped by Manila Chooks, Santos, a bread-winner in his family, made ends meet by selling grilled fish at their local market.
But Manansala referred him to Ayo, who took him under his cudgels. After all, Ayo has been known to be a kingmaker.
Come Friday, Santos, together with Chico Lanete, Mac Tallo, and Zachy Huang, will be given a baptism of fire as they take on the world’s best. It will begin in the qualifying draw that has Austria’s Graz and Qatar’s Doha teams.
And he is out not just to prove that he belongs, but to shock the world as well.
“Gagawin ko talaga ‘yung best ko para mapakita na kaya makipag-compete sa ibang bansa.”
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