I still remember the first time I watched an NBA game on television - it was the 1998 Finals between the Bulls and Jazz, and like millions of Filipino kids, I dreamed of seeing someone who looked like me on that court someday. Fast forward to today, and we're witnessing history in the making with Liam Salangsang's journey toward becoming what could potentially be the first pure Filipino NBA player. Let me tell you, following his career trajectory has been nothing short of fascinating. When FEU Tamaraws announced they were elevating this Baby Tamaraws standout to their seniors team, I initially thought, "Well, that's nice for college basketball," but honestly underestimated the significance at the time. Looking back now, that move was arguably one of the most underrated pickups in recent Philippine basketball history.

What makes Liam's story particularly compelling to me isn't just his raw talent - though he's got plenty of that - but how his development path mirrors what we've seen with successful international NBA players. Think about players like Jordan Clarkson, who's half-Filipino and took several years to develop into the Sixth Man of the Year. Liam's transition from the Baby Tamaraws to the FEU seniors team reminds me of those crucial developmental steps where young players either sink or swim. I've watched countless promising athletes fade into obscurity after being promoted too quickly, but Liam? He adapted with this remarkable composure that you rarely see in 19-year-olds. His stats during his first senior season were modest - around 8.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game - but what the numbers don't show is how he elevated the team's defensive coordination and basketball IQ whenever he was on the court.

The cultural significance of potentially having our first pure Filipino NBA player can't be overstated. We're a nation of over 110 million people absolutely obsessed with basketball - you'll find makeshift courts in every barangay, from Manila's crowded streets to rural villages in Mindanao. Yet we've never had one of our own pure-blooded Filipinos make it to the NBA. When I think about Liam working his way through the UAAP, then potentially the PBA, and possibly international leagues before an NBA opportunity, it reminds me that the hardest paths often create the most resilient players. Giannis Antetokounmpo came from selling sunglasses on the streets of Athens to NBA MVP - why can't our homegrown talent follow a similar trajectory?

What really convinces me about Liam's potential isn't just his athleticism - though his vertical leap is reportedly around 38 inches, which would place him in the top 15% of NBA combine participants - but his basketball intelligence. I've noticed how he reads defensive schemes two possessions ahead, something you can't really teach. His mid-range game needs work, I'll admit that - he's shooting about 42% from that area when he should be closer to 48% for NBA consideration - but his three-point percentage has improved from 28% to 36% in just two seasons. That kind of measurable growth trajectory is exactly what NBA scouts look for in international prospects.

The road ahead remains incredibly challenging - only about 0.03% of college basketball players worldwide ever make an NBA roster - but watching Liam's journey gives me hope that we might witness history within the next 3-5 years. His story represents more than just personal achievement; it's about breaking psychological barriers for an entire nation of basketball lovers. Every time I see him play, I'm reminded why we endure those 4 AM alarm clocks to watch live NBA games - because someday soon, we might finally see one of our kababayans living out the dream we've all shared for generations.