Espinosa Retains Pro Dream

He's back in Singapore team for Fiba 3x3 Asia Cup after 4 knee ops in 4 years

- Melvyn Teoh

Four knee operations in four years would force many budding athletes to throw in the towel, though this was not the case for 3x3 basketballer Haribon Espinosa.

Born in the Philippines, the Singaporean player has come a long way since arriving in 2018, as he persevered through injuries and setbacks while trying to pursue his dream of playing professional basketball.

"It was upsetting at first, but over time, I became more motivated," said the 24-year-old, who tore his anterior cruciate ligaments four times and was out of action for nearly four years.

"My injuries taught me to be resilient. They also gave me a deeper appreciation for simply being able to play the game."

Having returned to the national team only in January 2025 after tearing his right ACL in July 2024, Espinosa is raring to go at the Fiba 3x3 Asia Cup from March 26 to 30 at the Singapore Sports Hub's OCBC Square.

The 1.8-metre Espinosa's journey in basketball began seven years ago, when he moved from the Philippines to Singapore after his father found work here.