Less than two years after playing its first game, Grind Basketball Academy Dubai is preparing to send two squads of grade-schoolers to Singapore. The academy has accepted an invitation to the World Youth Championship Basketball League, running August 6–9, 2026, where it says it will be the only UAE club entered in both the Born 2015 and Born 2014 divisions — making its players the youngest UAE delegates at the tournament.
Grind was founded in December 2024 and won the championship at its debut in the NBTC Qualifiers in Dubai. Head coach and owner John Kelly Montilla said the club was built around more than results. “At GRIND, basketball is more than just a game—it teaches discipline, teamwork, confidence, respect, and personal growth on and off the court,” he shared with TGFM.
The Singapore invitation grew out of the academy’s run at an Asia Pacific tournament in the city-state last year, where its team reached the final against a side from the Philippines. That performance drew invitations to several international events. “We chose the World Youth Championship because of its excellent reputation and its perfect schedule during the summer,” Montilla said. He added that players reacted with excitement and parents moved quickly to back the preparations.
According to the academy, the league brings together 25 basketball clubs across 14 countries, with three UAE clubs competing this year. Grind’s entry in the two youngest age groups is a point of pride for Montilla. “Being the only UAE club competing in both the Born 2015 and Born 2014 divisions shows that our program is developing young athletes who are ready to compete internationally,” he said. “More importantly, it gives our players the chance to learn teamwork, responsibility, friendship, and the value of hard work from a young age.”
The invitation caps a strong domestic season. Grind’s teams currently hold titles across several UAE youth leagues, including Star Basketball Academy League champions, back-to-back Jazzville champions, and BAA Season 1 champions in the 2015 age group, alongside Jazzville and PEBA titles in the 2014 group. The academy’s 2014 team also finished first runner-up at the GBA Qatar International League. Those titles were earned in divisions that feature both top local academies and Filipino community teams.
For Montilla, the season’s banners are not the main measure. “For me, it was never just about winning championships,” he said. “What stands out most is seeing how much the players have improved throughout the season. They learned to trust each other, embraced their roles, played as one team, and showed discipline, resilience, and heart every time they stepped onto the court.”
Preparation for a first international outing has run on two tracks. Physically, the academy is drilling conditioning, fundamentals, teamwork, defensive discipline, and game situations to ready the boys for the speed of international play. The mental side, Montilla said, is about perspective: “We remind them to stay confident, trust their training, enjoy the experience, and compete with discipline and respect regardless of the outcome.”
Much of the academy’s support base comes from the Filipino community in the UAE, which Montilla credited as central to the club’s growth. “Our parents have trusted us with their children and have been there through practices, games, tournaments, and travel preparations,” he said. “Because of them, GRIND has grown into more than just a basketball team—it has become a family.”
What he hopes the players carry home from Singapore has little to do with the final scores. “Competing against teams from different countries will teach them that basketball is bigger than winning or losing,” Montilla said. “It is about growth, building friendships, developing character, and learning how to handle challenges at a young age.”
Born 2015 League
Adriel Quadras, Charbel Bitar, Evo Punzalan, Jacob Ariola, Johann Sapico, Kai Santos, Kean Montilla, Luis Ballecer, Reid Moreno, Rynz Banico, and Sid Gaddi.
Born 2014 League
Elijah Sapico, Emmanuel David, Enzo De Real, Gavin Arenas, Johann Sapico, Kean Montilla, Kristoff Ariola, Kyle Espinosa, Liam Dimaano, Sean Capatayan, Sid Gaddi, and Victor Ariola.
