Pinoy cager makes it to ABA

By: Rey Joble
People's Journal
October 16, 2007

Sometimes big things come in small packages.

Filipino Martin Trovela is one classic example. The pint-sized guard from Hug High in Reno, Nevada, has made it to the line-up of the Reno Sharpshooters, the newest team in the American Basketball Association.

Standing only 5-7, the former Most Valuable Player, who led Hug High to a regional championship, beat several Division I players in the NCAA during the tryout for the remaining slot on the team.

The Sharpshooters was supposed to be handled by Eathan O’Bryant, the former Harlem Globetrotter, who decided to quit the squad after receiving an offer from the Charlotte Bobcats.

But that didn’t stop Trovela from making it to the Sharpshooters’ roster, whose owner wants to have a Filipino in the line-up.

Trovela is the second player since Mugsy Magsumbol, who suited up for the San Jose Skyrockets, to make it to the ABA.

Scouts in the United States described Trovela as an explosive and exciting player as he can slam the ball against bigger rivals.

Like former NBA slam dunk champion Spud Webb and the other small men who played way ahead of him, Trovela can dunk the ball with authority.

In 2005, Trovela was supposed to play in the PBL with Granny Goose, but decided to stay in the US because of better pay.

In the US, he was in the honorable mention list of the top 100 junior players.

His stint in the ABA will surely open the door for him, to represent the Philippines in international competitions in the near future.