MANILA, Philippines - 5-foot-7 Tyrone Conrad Tang agrees to this belief. But it doesn’t mean he can’t play with the big boys in Asia’s first professional hoops league.

He knows it’s more than just a towering figure for someone to stand tall in the league of giants.

“Smarts and guts,” is what TY, as he’s fondly called, believes are what it takes.

Tang, as a playmaker, more than makes up for his lack of height with his intelligence inside the court.

“And I make sure to sacrifice an hour, at least, on top of our regular practices to improve my individual skills. It takes a lot of dedication and self motivation - been at that routine since high school,” he says.

Even during his grade school days in Xavier, Tang was already known for being dedicated.

PH record holder
At age 6, TY was a champion swimmer and has won numerous medals for his school. He even held a Philippine record that time.

But there came a time when his passion for the water sport dwindled.

“I lost interest at one point since the sport was quite repetitive and not very interactive.”

Then he tried basketball, the country’s most beloved sport.

“It didn’t take me so much to gain interest in the sport right away.”

Still a competitive swimmer when his love for hoops grew, TY would juggle both sports. He remembers sneaking basketball gear into his schoolbag because his parents would “definitely disagree” if they knew he’d want to leave swimming for basketball as he was already a decorated athlete back then.

“My parents were completely clueless about my trainings in basketball,” says TY, who also plays volleyball, tennis, golf, table tennis, billiards, Frisbee, football, and badminton for fun.

Leader
TY would later lead his high school to numerous victories. And like any kid, he had dreamt of playing the professional ranks someday.

But when TY first got to college in De la Salle University, he had second thoughts if he could jump to the next level or not.

“Yes, (it was my dream to play in the PBA when I was a kid). But during my teenage years back in college, I had doubts if I really wanted to pursue this type of career—since we all know it’s not permanent. Nevertheless, I didn't let go of opportunities given to me.

After struggling during his rookie year where he averaged a measly one point and one assist per game for the 2004 championship team, Tang dramatically improved three years later. In 2007, he led the Green Archers to the UAAP title after registering impressive numbers of 13 points, four dishes, and four boards per contest in the playoffs where they swept the 14-0 University of the East Red Warriors in the best-of-three Finals.

After being crowned co-Finals Most Valuable Player with Cholo Villanueva, Tang would sustain his hot streak in the Philippine Basketball League. He led the amateur league with 2.1 triples per game, was named to the Mythical Second team, and would eventually duplicate his UAAP finals feat after leading Harbour Centre to a come-from-behind victory over Hapee in the PBA Finals.

Adjustment
But since being the 12th overall pick of the then-Welcoat Dragons in the PBA, Tang has never tasted a championship, a feat he has always achieved in the past.

With the way Tang’s career is going for him now, he knows it’s only a matter of time before he’s back to that winning tradition.

“I’m mot really frustrated; it’s more of challenged. Since my SBP (Small Basketeers of the Philippines) days all the way to my PBL stint, I was able to feel what it was like to be part of that winning team. So I'm very hopeful and excited that we may gain that championship soon, or at least before my career as a basketball player comes to an end.”

Especially now that he’s expected to have a bigger role for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters with the departure of starter Mercado, Tang has a chance to showcase what he’s got.

“I think everyone in the team, both players and coaches, would have a bigger role this time around, since it is basically a team ‘reborn’. As of being part of the starting lineup, I believe that I still have to earn that spot. But being a leader during my amateur days doesn't necessarily mean that I had to be the playmaker inside the court. It can come from different acts so long as I do whatever it takes for us to win, whether it be being the starting point guard, cheering my teammates, or suggesting what needs to be done during crucial moments.”

Outside the court
Being a leader is in Tang’s nature—on and off the court.

A graduate of Business Management in La Salle, Tang runs a painting contractor business, which he’s hands-on.

“If I’m not in the gym, I'd probably be spotted in job sites or in the office. It can be quite challenging since it’s an own and a service type of business, I need to be on top of it at all time.”

Tang, who envisions being a coach someday, also conducts a basketball camp for kids called “basicSkills” that he started last year. He said he plans to do it semi-annually in the future.

“It’s my way of inspiring the younger generation to improve on their skills, and face a better attitude towards the game and life in general. It’s not like any other normal camp since I do this with a more exclusive group to be able to have more personal interaction with each member.”

Being a professional basketball player, businessman, and an instructor sure takes its toll. But Tang loves what he’s doing.

“It’s quite exhausting most days, but I definitely enjoy the balance.”

With a successful business, a growing basketball career, and his wife Giza expecting their first child, Ty Jr., soon, the 26-year-old Tang just hopes God to continue leading them to the right path.

“I pray for peace, stability, and safety in general. I believe that God has everything planned out with me and my family, so as long as I let him direct my life, everything is going to be okay with any endeavor I partake.”

Karlo Sacamos, Manila Bulletin