AT FIVE years old, Jolo Mendoza was already playing competitive basketball, and during his prep years, he was already representing Ateneo along with the Nieto brothers in various competitions. Mendoza started his basketball career within his family, as his father, Jig Mendoza, played for the University of the Philippines and is currently a coach of the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). His early exposure to the sport made him fall in love with it.
Aside from his relatives who taught him how to play basketball, Mendoza mentions NBA star Dwayne Wade as his other source of inspiration in the game.
“I like his early stint in the NBA because he really was the cat-quick guard, I like his aggressiveness and his mentality,” said Mendoza whose aggressive playing style does compare to the shooting guard for the Chicago Bulls.
Mendoza has donned the Blue and White ever grade school, but he also boasts of international experience. He was part of the Batang Gilas Team that qualified for the FIBA World Championship after finishing as the runner-up to China in the FIBA Asia Under-16 tournament back in 2013. That was the first time that the national youth team qualified for FIBA World Championship.
Now a rookie playing in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) seniors level for the Blue Eagles, Jolo describes his first game as the most memorable experience saying: “When I got on the court it was amazing. I couldn’t describe the feeling. I was nervous and excited at the same time. And to be able to score in the first game was really memorable for me.”
He also describes the college atmosphere to be different from the high school level. The crowd for him is more supportive in every game as compared to the UAAP juniors games, where people only watch the semifinals and finals game. For him, the college crowd helps with the energy on the court.
In his rookie season, Mendoza has exhibited the skills he has in his arsenal as a scorer. After playing 13 games this season, he leads the team in three-point percentage (55.6%) while averaging 4.3 points in 8 minutes a game. Despite his gaudy sharpshooting percentage in limited playing time, Mendoza still feels that he needs to be more consistent in his play.
“It’s been roller coaster ride, I’ve had good game and not so good games. I’m enjoying the experience and enjoying the feeling,” says Mendoza.
Mendoza aims to further improve his ball handling ability for next season because his size demands for him to handle the point guard position in the college level, rather than playing in his natural position as the shooting guard in the past. As the point guard, he knows that the team will rely on him more often to handle and distribute the ball especially as his role grows with the team.
The Blue Eagles have exceeded expectations this year, despite losing to the season-long favorite De La Salle Green Archers in the finals. The squad’s young core remains intact for next season. Mendoza is one of the young talents waiting on the wings, he is focused and ready to help the team regain its glory.
