There was a time when Rey Guevarra thought it was the end of the dream for him. And it wasn’t
just his dream that was crumbling. It was his family’s dream too. But he picked his faith back
up, brushed it off, and got right back up -- swinging!

In his last year with Letran, he led the team to a Final Four appearance. It was his last crack at
an NCAA title, an opportunity which he and the rest of the Knights wanted to seize. But, in
mid-duel, he fell hard, and someone landed on him. He tore his ACL which is always a
career-threatening injury for even the mightiest of the hardcourt soldiers.

Decades before, Ronoel Guevarra, Rey’s father, was a Team B player for the University of Santo
Tomas. He had an under-the-radar role in the PBL as well but that never deterred him from dreaming
big. He had the PBA etched in his heart of hearts, just like anyone who fell in love with the game.
But an unfortunate motorcycle incident tore his ACL and ended his hoop dreams.

More decades before William Jance, Rey’s grandpa, also hoped he would join the pros. He played
for Letran with Freddie Webb but never had the chance to take his skills elsewhere. He joined the
workforce and that was that. His daughter Juvy though acquired the love for sports and ended up
playing volleyball.

Ronoel and Juvy’s paths crossed and merged. Their love for sports became the building blocks for
their six children’s competitive nature. The two girls play volleyball for their schools while
three boys are in basketball varsity teams. Rey, being the eldest, is the first in his family,
three generations worth, to take that leap to the pros and reach the dream.

“When I was in elementary, I remember my dad telling me about what had happened to him. I told
myself that I was going to do what it takes to make it to the PBA” shares the Air21 Express
rookie.

Needless to say they grew up not being allowed to ride a motorcycle, but he was pushed and guided
to be the best in his chosen sport.

You can just imagine how overwhelming it was not just for Rey but for the entire family that he got
drafted. When he tore his ACL, he really thought he was done for. But with a great rehab program
at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center in Ateneo, he was able to get back on track in five months and
even rejoined the Smart Gilas national team.

“Now that I’ve achieved this dream, I’ve given myself a new challenge. Now it’s not just
about being in the PBA. I don’t want to be just a PBA player, I want to be one of the best.”

And goading him to achieve just that is head coach Yeng Guiao and his mental whip.

“He’s really a good motivator. He really knows how to challenge you,” Rey shares, adding
he’s had his share of scolding from coach Yeng and he understands that it’s for his own good.

“Don’t make basketball hard, play defense, don’t let anyone intimidate you…” are some of
the RATED PG reprimands he’s gotten from his fiery coach.

Slowly but surely, he’s responding to what coach throws at him and basks in all this glory.

This is after all, his hoop dream come true.