MANILA – After hearing their names called during the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 46 Rookie Draft, the work now begins for three Western Visayas-based players to secure a spot to the teams that selected them.
Bacolodnon guard Jeffrey Manday, who was selected by the San Miguel Beermen in the sixth round of the draft proceedings, admitted there is still a lot of work to do before he can fulfill his dream of playing in the PBA stage.
“This is an answered prayer. Napakarami ang nangangarap ngunit bibihira lang ang binibigyan ng ganitong pagkakataon kaya mahirap nang pakawalan pa,” Manday told Panay News on Monday.
“At San Miguel, I will show them my discipline as a basketball player. They can expect my hard work, dedication and loyalty to the team and winning mentality,” added by the former Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias standout.
Ilonggo forward Michael Jay Javelosa, who was drafted at No. 1 overall in the fourth round by Terrafirma Dyip, is ready for the new challenge of his career. He is willing to do what head coach Johnedel Cardel will task him.
“Just really happy to get drafted. I will do my best to help the team succeed and will not disappoint them,” Javelosa said. “As a player, the Terrafirma can expect a lot of unselfishness from me.”
Bacolodnon guard Kimlee Bayquin, for his part, was thankful that Blackwater Bossing took a chance on him by picking him at the fifth round as he looks forward to play for Coach Nash Racela, his mentor during his Far Eastern University Tamaraws days.
“I am thankful to coach Nash for giving me a shot. He knows that I can be a defensive player, I am a hustle guy and also a facilitator,” said Bayquin, a former Bacolod Tay Tung High School standout.
A record of 65 players out of 86 rookie applicants were selected during Sunday afternoon’s draft proceedings, passing the previous league record of 54 rookies selected in 2015./PN
