Kid in viral vax photo still reaching for his hoops dream

Kid in viral vax photo still reaching for his hoops dream

EXTRAORDINARY height means extraordinary opportunities and 6-foot-10 Brix Verzosa won't take any of it for granted.

You may remember Verzosa for a photo that went viral in the middle of the pandemic in 2021 showing the Cotabato kid, then 17 but already 6-8, getting vaxxed by a nurse who had to stand on a chair to reach his arm.

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brix versoza vax

Now 20 years old and playing for University of Santo Tomas, Verzosa is striving to impress coach Pido Jarencio and earn a spot - and perhaps some minutes - in the Growling Tigers' UAAP Season 87 lineup.

The journey, for sure, hasn't been easy for the kid who went to the Big City to pursue his basketball dream. Eventually, he found a home at San Beda with the Red Cubs, but lack of opportunities soon saw him on the move.

READ After Mahmood, UST secures another big man in Brix Verzosa

"Nung pandemic, kinuha ako ng San Beda pero di naman ako masyado nagamit talaga," he said. "Nung lumipat sila coach sa UST, sinama nila ako, grateful ako dun."

He spent time with the Tiger Cubs and was among the juniors players elevated to the rebuilding core of the Growling Tigers in the preseason games.

Kid is determined to succeed 

"Apat kami [from juniors], ako na lang natira, sabi ko, mga coach namin, mataas kompiyansa sa akin kahit wala pa ako napapatunayan," he told SPIN.ph. "Kaya, sa training magpupursige pa ako para sa susunod, makatulong."

Verzosa and the Growling Tigers fell short of the Top Four in the recently-concluded FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, but the team has shown encouraging performances.

brix verzosa ust tigers

PHOTO: UAAP Media

Deadset on his personal growth, Verzosa bared he's still trying to get a grip of his game, figuring out ways to repay the trust of his coaches.

"Sa depensa, sisipagan ko dun, kasi 'yun talaga, dun ako magagamit, 'yung height ko makakatulong sa depensa sa loob," he said. "May oras pa, magpupursige pa ako sa training para sa susunod may minuto ako."