Chris Newsome Finds Competitive Edge Through International Play
Beyond preparing for Gilas, Chris Newsome sees a significant advantage in playing for the Meralco Bolts across different leagues. The 6-foot-2 Filipino-American believes that competing against international club teams helps him adjust to the global stage where the national team plays.
“Playing against the best club teams definitely makes it a bit easier for me to adjust to international play. I consider all of these as practice games whenever it comes to Gilas. Same format, same amount of minutes, same rules and everything like that,” Newsome shared in an interview with ALL-STAR Magazine.
“The PBA is a little different because we play 48 minutes and have a different set of rules. But playing in the EASL makes it a lot easier for me to transition to international basketball because of the rules and the level of competition. So, going into our [FIBA] window, I definitely feel like I’ll be ready to go,” he added.
Having been with the Meralco Bolts since his rookie season in the PBA, Newsome credits the experience for shaping his game.
“I would say it’s just a matter of taking open shots when you have them and making sure you do all the right things. That’s what it comes down to—execution.”
Confidence as the Key to Consistency
For Newsome, confidence is the key to maintaining consistency. Living by the motto, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” he trusts himself to make impactful plays.
“Nonetheless, if those shots are there, you’ve got to take them. I think it’s just about confidence at the end of the day. You’ve got to trust the work that you put into your craft—trust all the hours you’ve put in—and use that to perform wherever you are, whether that’s here in the EASL or on the international stage with Gilas,” he explained.
As he prepares for the upcoming Gilas window, Newsome treats PBA and EASL games as opportunities to fine-tune his skills.
“I know the Gilas team will have a training camp, but I still have commitments with Meralco. So it’s going to be a dual-purpose preparation,” he said. “We still have one more EASL game, and I’m going to use that as part of my preparation for Gilas. And whenever Coach Tim calls all the players together, I’ll be fully locked in.”
Newsome also emphasized that having the same Gilas roster from the previous window makes it easier to get back into rhythm.
“It helps that we’ve had the same team throughout the last year. So everyone’s familiar with one another, familiar with the system, and it’s just about refreshing a few things before going out and playing,” he said.
Lessons from Failure and the Road to Success
Despite his dedication, Newsome acknowledges that the journey hasn’t always been smooth. He’s experienced both crushing losses and career-defining triumphs, such as winning a Finals MVP title.
“People ask me what it’s like to take those big shots. For me, it’s about trusting everything you’ve done—the work you’ve put in. No one really sees the hours you spend in the dark, but those moments are when all that effort comes to light,” he reflected.
“Of course, there are times when you fail. I’ve failed plenty of times. Before my championship and Finals MVP, I lost in the Finals four times. Those failures showed me I wasn’t ready yet, so I had to keep working. Eventually, things worked out.”
Even with his achievements, Newsome remains relentless in his pursuit of improvement.
“There’s still so much more I want to accomplish as a player. Just because I won a Finals MVP and have been playing consistently doesn’t mean I stop working. If anything, it means I have to work even harder to stay consistent. For me, the key to consistency is hard work.”
A Simple Life Off the Court
Away from basketball, Newsome enjoys unwinding and spending time with loved ones. He describes himself as a simple guy who loves to have fun.
“I like to play games—card games, video games, computer games, anything. I enjoy watching movies, Netflix, going to the cinema, and spending time with my fiancée and puppies. Maybe even taking a beach trip. Just simple things.”
Lately, he’s been into playing Mobile Legends with his teammates, favoring the hero Granger—a fitting choice given their shared role as a marksman.
“I’ve been playing Mobile Legends a lot. My teammates and I play during trips or on the bus. It’s a fun way to bond outside of basketball. I’m a Granger player—he’s my favorite hero in ML.”
He also enjoys FIFA and Warzone, often playing the latter with friends like Ange and AB.
“It’s been a while since I last played Warzone, but it’s still a game I enjoy. I also love playing FIFA.”
Despite his energetic presence on the court, Newsome considers himself introverted in his personal life.
“I don’t really like being around big crowds. Whenever I have time off, I prefer spending it with myself, my family, and close friends. I like to stay in my own little zone, just hanging out and chilling. That’s probably one thing people don’t know about me.”
From intense training and competitive games to quiet moments of relaxation, Chris Newsome balances his life with purpose. Focused on his goals but grounded in simplicity, he remains driven to keep improving—on and off the court.
