In every step of Andrei Caracut’s journey, there’s a quiet echo of gratitude, determination and grit — a story that began in a sleepy town of Lucban in Quezon Province but now thrives under the bright lights of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
What started as a father’s unfulfilled dream became a son’s lifelong purpose that was built out of sacrifice, humility and stubborn will to grow.
For the 29-year-old Rain or Shine guard, living up to the dream of his father, Noel, was never easy. But he’s working hard each passing day, knowing that playing every single game in the country’s most prestigious league brings so much joy, so much happiness into the hearts of his father and their entire community.
“My father was a frustrated basketball player. He really wanted to play in the PBA but he couldn’t do it.” said Caracut in a recent visit to the DAILY TRIBUNE headquarters during his guesting at “Off the Court,” the newspaper’s weekly online sports show.
“He promised that if he will have a child, he will support him in basketball clinics, leagues and he would eventually become his trainer.”
With his father’s all-out support, Caracut turned that dream into reality as he and the Elasto Painters are gearing up to win a title in the ongoing Philippine Cup.
In fact, the Elasto Painters kicked off their campaign in a high note when they pulled off a 96-95 triumph over Meralco with the 5-foot-10 Caracut dropping 10 points over the weekend at the Ynares Center in Montalban.
Yes, he may not be the star player, but for as long as he gets the job done, he will always have a special spot in Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao’s rotation.
Proven winner
Success has been following Caracut even when he was still in high school.
After studying at the International School for Better Beginning in Lucena City, Caracut took a leap of faith by trying out at San Beda University. There, he became part of its powerhouse basketball program, where he won a pair of National Collegiate Athletic Association juniors titles in 2013 and 2014.
But more than the championships he claimed, it was in San Beda where Caracut learned the values of perseverance, humility and discipline.
“I’m grateful to San Beda and I will never forget what they did for me. It is where I became a champion, said Caracut, who joined forces with the likes of Arvin Toelntino and Javee Mocon during his time with the Red Cubs. “They are also the reason why I’m here in my profession. When you’re a Bedista, you need humility. You always need to be humble. No matter what you receive.”
Eventually, Caracut took his talents to Taft Avenue and suited up for De La Salle University in 2015 to play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
He would make an immediate impact in his first season with the Green Archers, bagging the Rookie of the Year plum in Season 78, averaging roughly 9.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in his first season.
He became part of a storied program that demanded nothing less than excellence, playing alongside the likes of Ricci Rivero, Prince Rivero, Jeron Teng and Ben Mbala as they won the UAAP title in 2016 as La Salle swept archrival Ateneo de Manila University in a best-of-three championship series.
“We went through a lot. That one championship was truly life-changing,” he said.
Becoming a pro
Four years after being picked 23rd overall by Rain or Shine in the PBA Annual Rookie Draft, Caracut is living his and his father’s dream of making it to the professional leagues.
Playing for veteran mentor Yeng Guiao, Caracut said training and the matches never felt like a job for him.
“The environment was fun. You look forward to training and doesn’t feel like work,” Caracut said.
“With Coach Yeng, he would let you do whatever you needed to do during practices. You just have to be responsible when it’s game time.”
Like so many players who suited up for Guiao, Caracut was no stranger to the fiery mentor’s scolding. Yet, he knew that it was all part of his job.
“I can’t remember the first time he was angry at me but I know it’s all part of the job,” Caracut said.
“He would push us to be at our best. I’m not new to it since (La Salle) Coach Aldin (Ayo) is kind of the same.”
As they play in the 50th season of the PBA, Caracut and the Elasto Painters are in pursuit of the elusive Philippine Cup.
But winning the all-Filipino conference would mean more than just adding another trophy.
For Gabe
With veteran guard Gabe Norwood announcing his retirement at the end of the ongoing Philippine Cup, Caracut said they are determined to win it all.
Norwood announced last week he will hang up his jersey after 17 seasons with the Elasto Painters.
“I’ve been watching the video for a while now and I’m getting goosebumps. Of course, I’ve been with Gabe for a long time,” Caracut said.
“I hope we can have this conference for him. We dedicate this conference to Gabe. I hope we’ll become champions.”
Caracut even recalled the 40-year-old veteran’s advice to him in one of their games.
“Gabe, when I joined, he’s really like a Kuya to us. You can talk to him easily. He’s very professional. He’s very important to each of us,” Caracut said.
“Of course, he gave me a lot of advice. But there was one game that was like a semifinals series. My game was really bad. But he said, ‘I trust you.’”
Caracut admitted that it’s still a long way to go before they can win the elusive Philippine Cup crown.
But with a hungry crew that’s backing him up, a loving father who’s always praying, and an entire community rallying behind him, even the toughest, most imposing job seems to be just “another day, another ‘Drei” for Caracut.