The Observer: Fil-Am Long Range Bomber Set to Invade the PBL
by Tony Faustino for Gameface.ph 08/28/07
Kevin Daniel Dalafu was born on January 9, 1985 in Whittier, California to his parents Ephraim and Kathy Dalafu. His father grew up in Manila is a Los Angeles Lakers fan just like Kevin. He has two younger brothers, Nicki and Jason who is already taller than him at 6'4". He just graduated this year from Vanguard University with a degree in Business Administration where he had a career-best in 2006 from the three-point line, nailing 44 of 96 attempts for 45%, and a 40% career average from three-point range (121 for 302).
In this interview, we at Gameface.ph got to know the man with the "Pinoy hoop dreams."
1.) How did you get started in basketball? Did your dad play a role?
My mom says that on the day I was born my dad held me while he watched the Lakers’ play on the TV in her hospital room. So I guess it can be said that from day one my dad had me involved with basketball. From a very young age I played a lot of basketball outside my house with my dad and went with him to pick-up games on the weekends. It wasn't until 2nd grade, when I was 7 years old that I started playing organized basketball. I was the only 2nd grader in a 3rd/4th grade league during my first year of play. My dad had me start at a young age and has pushed me ever since.
2.) What part of the Philippines are your parents from? Where you born there as well? You've been there?
My dad was born and raised in the Manila area. My extended family has lived in the same house in Quezon City since 1964. I was born in Whittier, California. My parents brought me to the Philippines for my first visit when I was about 10 months old. Since then I have visited about 10 times (I can't recall the exact number of times). I have visited the Philippines the last 4 summers to visit family and learn the Philippine style of basketball.
3.) Ryan Reyes who used to play for Cerritos College left for Manila a few weeks ago. He played in the PBL and is now drafted in the PBA. Do you plan to try your luck in the PBL then later on the PBA anytime soon or do you have other plans?
I am currently in the Philippines, and if it is God's will, I will be playing in the PBL with hopes of pursuing a career in the PBA. Like the previous 4 years, I am currently practicing and training with San Miguel.
4.) What’s your current height, and weight? Do you plan to bulk-up or do you feel that your current playing weight is good enough for the position you’re playing?
I am 6'1" and my previous playing weight from my senior year in college was about 190. Since then my goal was to get up to a playing weight of 195, composing of less body fat and more muscle.
5.) Did you know that the Philippine National Team was in Carson recently for a 2 week training at the famous Abunassar basketball camp? Do you have any plans of joining advanced basketball camps such as this or the ABA developmental leagues or are you now all set with playing in the Philippines?
I was not able to attend national team in Carson. In regards to playing in other leagues, I have no plans in doing so. Ever since high school I have wanted to play professional basketball in the Philippines. That is why I have been coming to the Philippines every year since high school. I prefer to play in the Philippines because I have a lot of family support.
6.) We noticed on your Vanguard University bio that you have 2 brothers. What are their heights and ages, and are they planning to play serious basketball just like you? Are they doing well with basketball in their respective schools?
Jason is 19 years old at 6'4" and he actually attended Ateneo for one school year to play basketball, but decided that he wanted to return to the states to continue his schooling. He is currently attending Chaffey College and has done very well.
Joshua "Nick" is 12 years old and is about 5'6". He is attending Wayne Ruble Middle School and plays AAU basketball. At Wayne Ruble he earned all A's in his classes. Nick was the only 6th grader on the varsity team, and even had the opportunity to start a few games. My family expects him to be the best basketball player of all three of the boys.
7.) What are your strengths as a basketball player?
I have always been told that I have a high basketball IQ. I really enjoy studying the nuances of the game. I look forward to coaching the game one day. Besides my IQ, I have been known as a good shooter. During my junior year in college I was shooting close to 60% from the 3pt arc until I broke my nose and had to wear a face mask the rest of the year. I can play both the point guard and the shooting guard positions, and my free throw percentage the past season was 87%.
8.) What facets of your game need improvement?
The list could go on forever, but my major improvements are my on- the- ball defense. I was never a bad defensive player, but I want to become a very good defensive player. I would also like to add my athleticism and rebounding to the list.
9.) Did you know that Gabe Norwood of the famous basketball school, George Mason, also has Filipino ancestry , and recently joined the Philippine national team training. He also recently played for the AIA basketball squad Campus Crusade for Christ in the Philippines. With you coming from a Christian university, what role does spirituality play in your basketball games?
I did not know that Gabe played for Campus Crusade for Christ; that is awesome.
Over the past four years, my relationship with Christ has grown so much. Before I was at Vanguard, I was playing basketball for myself. Now I feel that I am playing basketball for Christ. I have had two life changing injuries in college that taught me the importance of putting Him first before I will ever reach success in basketball. Through the grace of God I was able to come back 100% from these injuries.
I will be trying to get involved a lot with Christian Ministries in the area. Right now I am plugged in with Faith Academy and Kids International, www.kidsinternationalministries.com where I will be volunteering hopefully on a daily basis.
10.) What was your most memorable game in college? Tell us about it?
It was my freshman year in college. I had hit the "freshman wall" and did not start for about 5 or 6 games. One night I came off the bench and was matched up against another freshman. In high school, he and I were being compared by a lot of schools as to who was considered to be the better player. Early in the game I drove baseline and he started talking trash because I wasn't able to beat him. I only scored 3 points in the first half. In the second half, I started being more aggressive and started shooting the ball well. By the end of the second half I had scored 27 more points and the freshman never said another derogatory word about me. After the game, the opposing coached looked at his two freshman recruits and shouted "it looks like I signed the wrong freshman." When I heard that it put a huge smile on my face.
11.) Can you also make a bio about yourself? Just a one paragraph bio will do.
I was born in Whittier, California, on January 9, 1985. I have two younger brothers. Jason is 19 years old and Nick is 12. I started playing organized basketball when I was 7 years old. From the very beginning I was more athletic than most other players and quickly learned to love the game. I excelled and always played in with kids that were older than I was. I attended grade school and Jr. High in La Mirada, California, where I lived. In high school I attended Troy High School in Fullerton, a magnet school for advanced students. It was while I was attending Troy High School that I decided that I wanted to play professionally in the Philippines. God provided a full basketball scholarship so that I could attend Vanguard University, a Christian college. While at Vanguard I matured, both as a Christian man, and as a basketball player. I pushed myself in order to be prepared to play in the Philippines. I graduated from Vanguard in May, 2007, along with my fiancé, Summer Stewart. We plan to be married in March, 2008. I have recently moved to the Philippines in order to pursue my career.
KEVIN DALAFU • #20
SENIOR • 6-2 • GUARD • LA MIRADA, CA
The person: Kevin Daniel Dalafu was born on January 9, 1985 in Whittier, California to his parents Ephraim and Kathy Dalafu…has two younger brothers, Jason and Nicki…is a senior in Business Administration at Vanguard…is involved in VU’s Student government…sports hero is John Stockton…favorite movie is "Little Rascals"…roots for the Los Angeles Lakers…likes to eat pasta…enjoys watching the TV show "Everybody Loves Raymond"…favorite place is the Philippines…prefers the color orange and the number 20…favorite book in the Bible is "I Corinthians"…would like to meet Paul the apostle…likes the character on his VU team…has learned that life is not about basketball… competing in basketball has taught him that patience is the key…wants to become a man of God.
His thoughts: I came to Vanguard to play basketball at a Christian school.
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