Two young Filipino Australian athletes have shown playing basketball at a whole different level, driving to the hoop while fulfilling their dreams to make it big in the field and winning championships for the Philippines. Both are young starters and are poised to go places on basketball courts around the globe while sporting a uniform emblazoned with the Philippines and its symbols. Meet Isabella de Jesus and Scarlett Mercado.
Isabella de Jesus: A Stellar Rise in the Court
Born to Filipino parents, Melissa and Charles, Isabella is the second eldest in a family of four siblings. Her love for basketball ignited at the tender age of eight. Little did the world know that this passion would soon lead to grand courts and grander accomplishments.
Bella’s journey in the basketball realm was nothing short of illustrious. From clinching a NSW State Championship in her second year of representative basketball in U12’s to playing in the Premier divisions of the NSW junior leagues, her trajectory has been consistently upward. Her prowess on the court didn’t go unnoticed; she was soon selected for the NSW Talented (TAP) and Development (DAP) Basketball programs. Adding another feather to her cap, she was invited to train with the NBL1 Team Inner-West Bulls by Coach Donna O’Flynn, though age restrictions kept her from officially playing.
2023 was a hallmark year for Bella. Her journey to represent the U16 Gilas commenced from a basketball combine hosted by Fil-Aus Catherine Cortez and Fil-Am, Fil-Nation Coach Cris Gopez. Following her participation in the NBTC Girls tournament in Manila, Bella and her team recorded an undefeated run, winning the inaugural tournament for the girls division. Highlights from her time in California included netting eight 3-pointers against Kobe Bryant’s daughter’s former team.
Yet, it was the U16 Gilas girls’ undefeated triumph at the Div.B ASIA Cup that became a historic moment for the Philippines basketball scene, propelling the U16 girls team into Division A for the first time ever. Despite facing an injury, Bella showcased unparalleled grit, ensuring she stepped on the floor for this landmark achievement.
Reflecting on her journey, Bella shared, “The support from the local Filipino community, both in Jordan and back home, has been truly inspirational.” With dreams larger than life, Bella now sets her eyes on representing the Philippines at even grander stages and pursuing a college scholarship in the US.
Scarlett Mercado: Determination Beyond Bounds
For Scarlett Mercado, her introduction to basketball at age seven was rather unanticipated. Initially keen on netball, her father’s gentle nudge towards basketball changed the trajectory of her athletic journey. Over the years, while other sports fell by the wayside, her dedication to basketball never wavered.
Scarlett’s commitment is evident not just in her basketball accomplishments but also in achieving a black belt in Kenpo 5.0 Martial Arts. However, basketball remained her primary focus. In May 2022, an invite from Filam Founder Coach Cris Gopez led Scarlett to a training camp in LA, following which she aimed to solidify her place in the U16 Gilas Pilipinas team.
Facing challenges, from school commitments to intense competition from Filipina talents globally, Scarlett’s dream wasn’t easy to achieve. However, her hard work finally paid off when she received the call to join the 2023 U16 Gilas Pilipinas team in Amman, Jordan. Under the guidance of Coach Pat Aquino and Coach Ai Lebornio, she was part of the monumental effort that uplifted the Philippines to Division A.
More Than Athletes: Symbolizing Hope and Ambition for Young Filipinas
These two young prodigies, with their sheer talent, passion, and determination, are not only champions on the court but also inspirations off it. They represent the dreams and aspirations of countless young Filipinas, proving that with dedication and heart, any dream is achievable.
