HARD work does not always pay off, at least not immediately.
Robert Hainga has experienced life’s worsts, both on his everyday endeavors and in the basketball court. It was not as if he was not working hard; it’s just that he wasn’t getting the breaks.
As a sixth-grader, the 6-foot-7 center used to help his parents sell fruits, vegetables, and other sources of income in his hometown in Negros Occidental. He considers one of the most challenging experiences growing up in a family of six, him being the youngest.
“Since grade six, nag-start na ‘kong magbenta ng mga kung anu-ano sa palengke. ‘Di lang gulay, lahat sa palengke nabenta ko na ro’n sa probinsya,” the 22-year-old Hainga said.
But the former University of Perpetual Help Altas slotman never thought of it as “shameful” or “demeaning.” It was rather a noble job he and his family had to do to survive. It even brought him to several out-of-town trips. A doctor from a health center eventually discovered his potential as a player.
“Nagpunta na ‘ko sa iba-ibang lugar para magbenta ng kung anu-ano. Tapos may isang doktor sa isang health center na nakakita sa akin. Tinanong niya ako kung naglalaro ba ako ng basketball, kasi matangkad ako. Sabi ko oo, naglalaro ako. Pero hindi talaga ako naglalaro kasi wala talaga sa hilig kong mag-basketball dati,” the Education sophomore student said.
Still, the doctor believed in Hainga’s raw talent and recommended him to play in La Salle-Bacolod. But the physician’s efforts went futile as Hainga didn’t qualify for college since he was not able to finish high school.
The rejection favored Hainga as it enabled him to meet Perpetual head coach and now University of the East assistant coach Bai Cristobal.
But after his two-year stint with the Las Pinas-based cagers and the ouster of Cristobal, Hainga was demoted to Team B—a downfall that led him to trying out for the Growling Tigers.
“After ng rookie year ko sa Perpetual, tinanggal siya (Cristobal). Siguro may mga player siya na dinala niya tapos nilagay ako sa Team B. Parang sa’kin, ayokong maging Team B, so tumigil ako. Nag-Team B ako mga isang sem tapos after no’n dito ako napunta sa UST,” Hainga said.
Now on his apparent final playing year, Hainga can’t seem to get his share of limelight, living behind the shadows of main front man Karim Abdul and Paulo Pe. But his limited playing minutes never did not diminish his resolve.
“Consistent ‘yung pinapakita niya sa practice na naa-apply niya naman sa team. Problema nga lang, ‘yung sa posisyon niya, marami [sila] kaya hindi siya nabibigyan ng playing time sa UAAP. Pero itong year na ‘to, baka mabigyan siya ng opportunity,” UST assistant coach Ernesto Ballesteros said.
Ballesteros further motivates Hainga by reminding him of his family and the privilege of being a part of the 16-man Tigers’ roster.
“Ang motivation ko sa kaniya, ‘yung ginagawa niya, para sa pamilya niya, para sa future. Kasi nandiyan ka na e, ‘wag mong sayangin ‘yung pagkakataon,” Ballesteros said.
Hainga admits being frustrated with himself by the fact that he is given limited playing time, but he knows success does not come via the express lane. He vows to continue working doubly hard, driven by his family and friends, to eventually earn his spot in the starting five.
“May time na nafu-frustrate ako sa sarili ko kasi ‘di ko alam kung anong kulang ko. Pero namo-motivate ako ‘pag naaalala ko ‘yung family ko sa probinsya at ‘yung mga kaibigan ko na nagpu-push sa akin na kaya mo ‘yan, maglaro ka hanggang professional,” he said. Carla Patricia S. Perez
