NEGRENSE John Paul Calvo boosted his stock ahead of the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft this afternoon with a strong showing during the 2018 PBA Gatorade Draft Combine mini-tournament held at Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong City.
Calvo, originally from Silay City, Negros Occidental before transferring to Iloilo City where he played for Hua Siong Red Phoenix, was hailed the MVP after leading Team A-2 to the championship in the pocket tournament.
The former Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights guard finished with 23 points in Team A-2’s 76-64 victory over Team A-3, which was led by Calvo’s fellow NCAA standout Michael Calisaan.
The 5-foot-7 Calvo said he really prepared to make an impression during the two-day pre-Draft workout as he hopes to get the attention of PBA coaches, knowing that he is under the radar, unlike some other rookie aspirants.
“Actually hindi ko in-expect iyon (MVP) e,” Calvo said. “Talagang nag-prepare ako sa (pre-Draft workout) na ito. Kaya maganda ginawa ko dahil dito. Importante ito sa akin dahil maliit ako.”
“Ginawa ko lang iyong advantage ko para makaangat sa kalaban ko,” he added. “Malaking bagay ito dahil sa Sunday, Draft na. Baka sakali madala ako sa PBA nitong confidence na ito. Kaya ko naman pala.”
Aside from being the MVP, the 21-year-old Calvo was also named part of the Mythical selection along with teammate Carlos Isit, Calisaan, Matt Salem, and Robert Bolick.
Team A-2 members Calvo, Isit, Salem, Jan Manlangit, Paul Varilla, Gideon Babilonia, and Kim Cinco also received the P75,000 cash prize for ruling the pocket tournament.
‘TRADE-VINE’
A powerhouse PBA team is contemplating on trading away one of its precious players before or after the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft this afternoon as it aims to get one of the upcoming rookies this season.
But aside from a chance to get the targeted rookie, the PBA team wants to get rid of the precious player due to his alleged differences with one of the longtime players of the team.
“Hindi talaga magkabuo ng chemistry si (longtime player) at (precious player),” said the source. “Makikita naman iyon sa performance nila sa nakaraang conference. Ang lakas lakas ng team pero di man lang nakaabot sa playoffs.”
“Kaya nagsabi na si (longtime player) sa management – it is either i-trade siya sa (sister team) to reunite with his former head coach or si (precious player) ang i-trade para umangat sila sa Draft,” added the source.
“Hanggang sa ngayon may negosasyon pa sa pagitan ng PBA team na ito at sa isa pang PBA team para sa Draft day trade. Abangan na lang natin kung matutuloy. If not, baka in the days to come.”/PN
