By Ivan Saldajeno
TAGUIG--While NBA legend Metta World Peace is in town for a
visit, the focus quickly shifted to his son, Jeron Artest, especially when the older
Artest revealed that the 16-year-old, six-foot-two guard, who is born to a
Filipina mother, applied for a Philippine passport, which could make him eligible
to play for the Batang Gilas and even the senior Gilas programs.
What can we expect from the younger Artest? Some reporters
let the dad explain it on Sunday.
"He is a tough defender," the former Ron Artest
said in an intimate press conference at Luna Cafe at the Bonifacio High Street.
"I'm really interested to see how good of a defender he becomes."
As it turns out, the defensive pedigree runs through Jeron's
veins as World Peace, a two-time NBA champ with the Los Angeles Lakers, was
one of the league's toughest lockdown stoppers, especially during his days with
the Indiana Pacers in the mid-2000's.
But while he admitted that his son is a "slow
grower" in the game, World Peace added that Jeron is adding some arsenal
to his game that could help him in the long run.
"Right now, he just started dunking," the older
Artest bared.
Meanwhile, once his eligibility has been formalized, Jeron
is set to team up with seven-foot-two beanpole Kai Sotto with Batang Gilas and
possibly with the senior Gilas in the future.
Daddy Metta, however, insisted, "They have to earn it.
They have to work their asses everyday to get better."
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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