Palaro champs Duterte, San Diego relish chance to learn from Dwyane Wade

MANILA – The 2026 Palarong Pambansa secondary boys basketball champions had a rare opportunity to be mentored by three-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade during his first-ever visit to the Philippines. 

Wade, along with renowned basketball trainer Chris Johnson, shared their knowledge with the Calabarzon Heroes in the Wade Academy Future Stars Clinic on Wednesday in Kerry Sports Manila. 

The young players were visibly starstruck seeing Wade in person for the first time, but were very eager to learn and interact with the NBA legend. 

“Siyempre sobrang saya nakapag-training kami dito ng libre. Madaming bata na nangangarap na makita si Dwyane Wade at makasama sa loob ng court,” Dairick Duterte said. 

“Sa una sobrang nakakakaba kasi idol na idol ko yan since bata pa at napapanood ko yan. Tapos grabe yung experience rin… Gusto ko maging katulad niya na sobrang dedicated sa basketball,” Richmond San Diego shared. 

Duterte even had a moment with Wade, where the NBA legend exchanged a high five after executing a play. 

“Sobrang saya dahil nag-high five kami ni Dwyane Wade. Hindi ko na-expect na ganun. Na-hype lang din ako… Nakita niya [Wade] yung mga galaw ko at mas sisipagan ko pa sa bawat training,” he said. 

San Diego shined during the basketball clinic, earning praise from Johnson when they were doing drills. 

“Na-overwhelm lang ako. At parang na-motivate ako lalo na maglaro ng basketball kasi Chris Johnson na yun eh,” he said. 

The young cagers are leaving with more than just a once in a lifetime experience, they are bringing with them invaluable lessons they can take to the court. 

“Natutunan ko dito yung mga good habits, go hard lagi and yung mga tinuturo sa amin,” Duterte said. 

“Tinuruan niya kami about tricks, yung mga moves niya, yung mga ginagamit niya sa NBA. Sobrang laking bagay [nito] kasi andun siya sa taas na level at kailangan ko lang i-adapat yung mga tinuturo niya para maging mas malakas,” San Diego added. 

Johnson is happy to be able to have the opportunity to share his knowledge with Filipino cagers and hopefully have an impact on their game. 

“Being here in the Philippines and working with the players today was super exciting for me. We want to educate them. We want to equip them with the skill set and then we want them to excel. And so to become the best teacher in the world is allowing for the kids to be able to play through the mistakes, learn something new, and then take it with them,” he shared. 

“In our second session today, we’ll have our first coach to coach program that I’m bringing here. We want to be able to coach the players and the coaches, but coaching the players is different because coaching the coach allows for just who with way to have a continual impact in the Philippines,” Johnson added. 

For Wade, he hopes his visit helps inspire the youth to pursue their dreams whether it be in sports or other fields. 

“So all the kids out there, have those visions, have these big dreams that people will look at you and say, You crazy. That means you’re on the right path to something. If you’re dreaming big enough to people tell you that your dreams may not come true or you’re crazy, because I was told the same thing,” he said. 

“I’m just a firm believer in like, find your lane and just driving that. Like, you don’t got to be weaving in and out of other lanes. You know, once again, so I go back to like find what it is that makes you excited. Find what it is that makes you get up every day and want to chase it. And once you find that, do that. Don’t worry about what someone else wants to do or what someone else feels is cool,” Wade added. 

The basketball clinic is part of Wade’s two-day visit to the Philippines for the TADHANA: Make Your Way Manila Tour with Li-Ning Philippines, Way of Wade and Toby’s Sports.