Jens Dieter Baylon Knuttel

A repost. Got this from my friend.

For those na nagsasabi na mayabang si jens. My gosh. MAHIYA naman kayo. Kilalanin niyo nga muna un taong binabangga ninyo.

[Manila Standard Today]
[Saturday - Sunday, December 1 - 2, 2007]
By Giovanni Paolo J. Yazon

ADD another “hoop hottie” in the ever-growing list of University Athletic Association of the Philippines cagers with foreign lineage. And his name is Jens Dieter Baylon Knuttel, a “50 percent German” who wears jersey no. 14 in the Far Eastern University’s Tamaraws team!

Jens Knuttel (pronounced as Yens Nyutel) is a standout beyond doubt, what with his hazel eyes that sparkle when he speaks, rosy white and flawless skin, and boyish looks reminiscent of Thomas Ian Nicholas of the American Pie movie series. At 18, this 5-feet and 10-inch point guard is also the youngest “Tam” in FEU’s lineup!

Manila Standard Today: Tell me something about your family.

Jens Knuttel: My father, Dieter Knuttel, is a German while my mom, the former Visminda Bayon, hails from Zamboanga City. I have six more siblings: Ubelyn (27), Marc (22), Sven (20), Ninia (11), Bianca (10) and Selena (3). I was born in Heidelberg, but our family migrated here in the Philippines when I was two years old.

Since when have you been passionate with basketball?

I began playing basketball when I was in grade four [I was 10 years old then]. I was part of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s varsity team [from elementary to third year high school]. I used to be a swimmer, but it was my childhood friends who prodded me to give basketball a try since they’re all into it. Some of the tournaments I joined in are the Small Basketeers of the Philippines-Paserelle and the Palarong Pambansa.

Is your being a Tamaraw a choice or destiny?

Many exceptional PBA players came from FEU [like Johnny Abarrientos, Arwind Santos and Glen Capacio, who’s our coach], and so I grew up with the belief that FEU is a “basketball powerhouse”… na lahat ng magagaling ay dito lang nanggagaling.

My coaches at Ateneo, Jinky Pardo and Pete Alfaro, helped me na makapag-try out sa Baby Tamaraws [juniors team of FEUl] on my third year. Going to Manila [to study and be able to play basketball] was the toughest decision I made as I had to repeat my junior year to qualify for [residency requirement] the UAAP juniors division. But it was worth it, I was able to play [under the guidance of coach Potit de Vera). This paved the way for me to be included in the Tamaraws team when I stepped into college. My being a Tamaraw’s more of a dream that really came true (he smiles).

What were the challenges you hurdled when you stayed here in Manila?

I missed my family in Zamboanga so much, I don’t have any relative here in Manila; balancing basketball and studies—it wasn’t like in high school where classes go before practice/games; and learning how to speak Tagalog fluently. I only used to speak German and Chavacano. There were times when my classmates would laugh at how I pronounced some words, like ki-ni-ki-lig (he smiled).

Your strength on court?

I’m not a scorer, but I’m a “playmaker,” I’m there to lead my other teammates.

Who are your buddies among your teammates?

JR Cawaling—he treats me like his younger brother. [He’s from Cagayan de Oro City and nagbi-Bisayaan din kami sometimes.] I’m also close to Marnel Baracael and Benedict Fernandez. Ang dami nilang tawag sa akin: bunso, puti, tisoy, Kano (he giggles).

Any common notion about players that you want to be changed?

That we’re mayabang, suplado or bolero… others do it kasi, but I don’t. It hurts when people judge you, so I just do the opposite. I am very accommodating [to all our fans], friendly and understanding. In fact, I don’t know how to get angry (he smiles).

Who are your role models?

Olsen Racela (San Miguel), Jonas Villanueva (Magnolia) and NBA player Jason Kidd

Your guiding principle in life is…

“Die hard trying.” Dapat magsipag ka, always strive hard to improve on your craft.

“Taken” or still available?

I’m not into a relationship right now… heartaches [will just] make me cry.

And your message to fellow students?

Balancing extra-curricular activities with academics is a challenge that we face every day, [but] it’s just a matter of knowing what to prioritize [without doing a major sacrifice]. Always scan your notes before you sleep at night, so that when you wake up the next day, you don’t have to review your lessons that hard—you just have to refresh your mind.