Fil-Canadian Jakobi Matalabos emerged as the Best All-Around Player in the recently conducted Global Hoops International Showcase held last March 23 at the Gatorade Hoops Center. Handout photo

MANILA -- A 6-foot-4 Filipino-Canadian prospect emerged as the best all-around player among a field of 55 cagers during the Global Hoops International Showcase last Sunday at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.

Jakobi Matalabos, who was born in Vancouver but has dual citizenship, gave an excellent account of himself in the skills combine as well as in the scrimmages. He also scored high in the jump (infrared device and vertical leap), sprint, reaction time, and lane agility, according to Coach Emman Papa whose team from the University of the Philippines conducted the skills combine.

A panel of coaches also picked him out during the two scrimmages.

"I certainly didn’t expect this (accolade), but I am grateful for and hope it helps me in my career," said Matalabos.

The Global Hoops International Showcase serves as preparation for Filipino-foreign teams who will compete in the 2025 National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) Finals.

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"Jakobi Matalabos was a part of my team that competed in last year’s NBTC where we won the Division II championship. Even during his first time, he played a huge role in the team … Jakobi is one of my best players," said Nap Santos, head coach of Top Flight Sports Canada.

Top Flight Sports Canada will have five players back from last year’s title-winning team including Joey Panghulan who hit that buzzer beating mid-court heave to oust the Arellano High School Braves, 87-83.

Panghulan is now with Lyceum of the Philippines’ Team B but will play for Top Flight sports in this NBTC tourney.

"At least this year, we will have a little more experience," added Santos, who played for Letran in the NCAA from 1993 to 1996. "Jakobi, a year older, should be more confident of his game and being named the Best All-Around player will give him a tremendous boost."

"Of course, the NBTC is a different game too because you are playing the best high school teams and players all over the Philippines."

Last year, Top Flight Sports bagged the NBTC Division II crown with a massive comeback from 23 points down, and also survived a near meltdown at the end against Eco Green Makati.

During the inaugural Global Hoops International Showcase last year where all Filipino-foreign squads banded together to organize their own tournament in order to maximize their short stay in the Philippines, Top Flight Sports defeated Crossover Canada in the finals, 85-81.

"The experience and atmosphere was so inspiring for our boys that this will bond them for the rest of their lives. They will hold on to that and make them great people," said Santos.

The Fil-foreign teams of the Global Hoops International Showcase will compete in the annual NBTC that tips off this coming March 31.