CALIFORNIA - A Filipino-American from Virginia left home to travel all the way to the San Francisco Bay Area with one goal in mind: Make a mark in college basketball.

Filipino-American Brandon Chauca is living out his dream to play point guard for the University of California Berkeley Bears.

Chauca patterns his game after other NBA point guards like the Phoenix Sun's Isaiah Thomas and Hall of Famer John Stockton who are known for their shooting touch and defensive moves.

Growing up in Alexandria, Virginia, the 20-year-old Fil-Am came to the West Coast on his own to earn a college degree on a basketball scholarship.

"It’s a dream come true. I mean my whole life was to make it Division I and not only did I make it Division I but I made it to one of the best institutions in the world," he said.

Chauca has a Peruvian father and Pinay mother who comes from Mindanao. He credits his family with developing his basketball skills and the love for the game.

"He taught me how to play and he just had this crazy love for it and it turned out Filipinos do, too. My mom wasn’t really a sports person but her family is. We got involved with the community and my sister started playing Filipino youth basketball, we found out Filipinos just love it," he said.

Chauca said he doesn't take for granted the opportunity and pushes himself to work hard every day in the classroom and on the court.

"I just feel I represent a lot of people. I don’t just represent myself. I represent my family, my countries, but it’s hard for Filipinos because the stereotypical Filipino is me. I’m 5’9. I’m under six feet. Usually they don’t make it pass high school," he said.

Chauca is also aware that he may have a chance next year to compete against rising basketball star Fil-Am Kobe Paras, who is committed to attending the University of California Los Angeles.

"It should be fun. I haven’t seen a lot of him. I know he’s athletic and it’s good to have another Filipino playing," he said.

Chauca is also comforted by the fact that he is surrounded by a diverse Bay Area community that includes many Filipinos.

"It’s just cool seeing more of where I come from. And when you see more of where you’re from you want to be more involved," he said.

Chauca and the Berkeley Bears will face off against Oregon State's Beavers during Cal Berkeley's second annual Filipino Heritage Night this Sunday.

He will be featured in a special Q&A with the crowd following the game.

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