After seeing their dreams of getting drafted by a PBA team come true, now comes the real work for two Cebuanos who are raring to showcase their skills in Asia’s first pay-for-play league.
There were three Cebuanos who were drafted in the annual PBA Draft on Sunday, namely Tabuelan-native Jason Melano who got picked first in the third round by Blackwater; former University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) Panther Joseph Sedurifa who got picked seventh in the same round by Meralco; and former University of Cebu (UC) big man Alfred Batino, who was selected in the fifth round by NLEX.
Though a roster slot remains unsure, Batino expressed his gratitude to current PBA MVP and former collegiate teammate June Mar Fajardo, for helping him build his confidence during their time together with the Webmasters.
“Naalala ko every practice, ako nagbabantay kay June Mar (Fajardo) kaya pagdating ko dito sa Manila, di na ako naninibago kapag kabantayan ko ay mas malaki pa sa akin,” shared Batino, who transferred to Centro Escolar University not long after his time in UC.
With NLEX boasting of a loaded frontcourt that features the likes of the ageless Asi Taulava, Enrico Villanueva and fellow Cebuano Aldrech Ramos, Batino admits that he has his work cut out for him in trying to crack the final roster.
“Pakita lang talaga sa coach na deserving ako sa spot, kasi competition kami dun sa practice. Kabantayan ko yung ka spot ko so dapat ibigay 100 percent,” said Batino.
Melano also found himself in the same boat as his compatriot as he works to make a name for himself apart from seven other draft picks that the Elite had this past weekend.
“Yung plano ko siguro kailangan ko talaga ipakita sa lahat ng mga coaches na worth it yung pagkuha nila sa akin,” said Melano, who attended high school in Tabuelan before playing college ball at the St. Francis of Assisi.
Sedurifa, on the other hand, reported that he felt good about his chances of making the final cut after his interactions with Meralco head coach Norman Black during their first practice yesterday.
The one-time NAASCU MVP also said there were butterflies in his stomach when he matched up against players he had idolized on TV.
“Kulbaan sad ko na akong ka match-up si Jared Dillinger pero makaya ra man.”
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