Written by Valerie Russell
It’s nearing midnight in the Philippines and Solomon Mercado is calling it quits for the day with a 7 o’clock basketball practice as his inevitable wake-up call the next morning.
The 2007 Biola graduate who once dominated Biola’s Chase Gymnasium was drafted into the Philippine Basketball Association as the fifth overall pick during the annual draft held on Aug. 31, 2008 at Market! Market! in Taguig, Philippines.
Originally nabbed by the Philippine Alaska Aces (formerly known as Welcoat), Mercado explained the predetermined trade that sent him almost immediately to his new team, Rain or Shine, allowing him to play alongside top rookie pick, Gabe Norwood.
“It was the plan to trade me right away,” Mercado said. “Even before the season started, [Rain or Shine] told us, ‘We want both of you guys. ‘”
Mercado’s new coach, Roy Garcia, happens to be the cousin of his former coach when he played in the league with Harbour Center.
The Norwood-Mercado duo has allegedly been already compared to some of the PBA’s greatest guard combinations in decades. Since both can play point and shooting guard, Mercado anticipates a lot of freedom on the court.
“Whoever gets the ball can just run it, whether it’s me or Gabe,” he said. “I’m looking forward to playing with him.”
While every Rain or Shine fan is awaiting the two stars to carry the team to victory, Norwood and Mercado share more than the court and locker room.
“He’s my best friend out here,” said Mercado. “He’s actually at my house right now.”
Before playing pro ball in the Philippines, Norwood was on a touring basketball team for Athletes in Action, an evangelical sports ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. Mercado was immediately encouraged by Norwood’s faith. They have been attending church together recently as well as discussing their similar vision to start a basketball camp for children in the city .
“Basketball is life out here,” Mercado said. “We would love to open up opportunities for [people] to play and learn more about the game.
Although it’s not easy for him to be away from his family in Sacramento, Mercado explained that he was immediately befriended by Christians and “put in a position of being surrounded by people who really hold [him] down.”
While the nightlife in the Philippines often threatens the faith of many young men who move there to play professional basketball, Mercado has made certain his standards have not been compromised.
“It’s such a humbling country because you see so many poor people, you realize how blessed you are,” he said. “Out here I’m a role model to all the kids who watch basketball, even older people, and I really think my way of reaching out to people is through the way I act. Doing that and being around godly people holds me accountable so I can shine my light.”
Mercado is looking forward to the long season, which will go through most of next summer. His first preseason scrimmage will be on Wednesday against his original team, the Alaska Aces.
