Hoops with wheels

In the world of hoops, wheelchair basketball is looked upon as the awkward stepchild at reunions who makes everybody feel uncomfortable.

- By BILL VELASCO

Be that as it may, wheelchair basketball is a legitimate sport, and we have national teams who come abroad for the same flag and the same country. They train just hard, if not harder, travel with the equipment, sweat, bleed and cry like any other athletes.

The Philippine wheelchair 3X3 teams have just returned from China, where they competed against countries like Japan, Australia, Cambodia, Iran and Thailand. It was an eye-opening experience for the nationals who faced teams that were bigger, stronger and had played together for years.