A GROUP of missionary basketball players based in the United States led a two-day basketball clinic at the DavNor Gym on July 7 and 8, combining high-level coaching with messages of faith.
The clinic was headed by Coach David Corsi, founder of the Philippine Bearcats Elite, and included former NBA players Phillip Morrison and Trey Lewis. The clinic, dubbed “The Origins Basketball,” was more than just an ordinary skills camp, it also aimed to foster spiritual growth and unity, using basketball as a tool to strengthen faith and build fellowship.
Coach David Corsi shared that Jesus appeared to him in a dream and gave him a message.
“Sepsis is a disease that I’ve got in biopsy and I've almost died. And when I was in hospital, the only time in my life, Jesus came to me in my dream and said, ‘I want you to go in the Philippines... to train, mentor and share the love of Jesus to the youth in the Philippines,’” Corsi recounted.
He began his mission in the country alongside former NBA players, teaching Filipino youth about ball-handling, teamwork, and discipline, while also sharing the Good News of salvation.
“We also work with a lot of kids here in Tagum and Davao City, training them, developing them, and helping them do well in high school and college so they can get a good education. It’s Jeremiah 29:11—‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.’ That’s my verse for every one of the kids we coach—that God is in control and God wants them to succeed, do well, and have an abundant life,” he added.
Coach Corsi also shared an inspiring message for aspiring basketball players:
“You can't just sit at home, on your phone watching TV and expect to be a great basketball player. You have to have passion. You’ve got to have discipline and you’ve got to understand the sacrifice you have to make to be great,” he encouraged.
The event was part of the province's youth program “Kalaro Kita, Hindi Kalaban” (We’re Playmates, Not Rivals), supported by Governor Edwin Jubahib and spearheaded by the Provincial Sports, Youth and Development Office (PSYDO), headed by Giovanni Gulanes.
“They even brought no less than former NBA players to teach, especially now that basketball often ends in brawls. This time, they showed that sports can actually build friendship and serve as a way to stay fit. Sports can be a path to developing discipline. This truly aligns with Kuya Gov Edwin Jubahib’s program—to use sports for the development of our youth,” said Gulanes.
Medical personnel from the Provincial Health Office and PSYDO staff ensured that the entire event was safe and effective. RGL WITH REPORTS FROM DAVNOR PIO
