By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Gilas youth star point-guard Dalph Panopio decided to remain in the United States and enter collegiate basketball there despite multiple offers from the Philippines.
The 2019 FIBA Under-19 Gilas guard committed to the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners, a Division I level at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a member of the Big West Conference.
Raised in Italy, Panopio took the Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT) by storm in 2018 after averaging 17.8 points and 5.5 assists per game for club Stella Azzurra.
The 6-foot-2 ball-handler also was a promising court general in his stint with Gilas after impressing the Greek crowd during the 2019 FIBA tournament.
Panopio averaged 5.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists wearing the white and blue national team jersey together with teen sensations Kai Sotto and Dave Ildefonso.
With his future still uncertain whether he will play all his collegiate years in the US or will eventually fly to the Philippines, Panopio remains ready whenever Gilas Pilipinas calls him up again.
