Top pick’s wish: Be a Charger forever

Top draft pick Rich Alvarez wants only an initial three-year deal with Shell but hopes to spend his entire professional basketball career as a Turbocharger.

The 23-year-old forward out of Ateneo said he plans to play as long as he’s competitive and would pursue a masters degree if his pro career doesn’t work.

Alvarez is simply excited to play pro ball that he can’t wait to wear his No. 10 Shell jersey.

"Shell has a new program and I want to be a part of it. I’ll continue to work hard and hopefully I could be of help to Shell in its rebuilding program," said Alvarez.

"It’s like history repeating itself for Rich. Ateneo had a new program when he came. Now, Shell also has a new program and here comes Rich," said Arben Santos who acts as Alvarez’ confidant and virtual father since his Ateneo days.

The former King Eagle is even looking forward to sharing rookie turf with former varsity rival Carlo Sharma of La Salle. "There’s no hate, no anything because it’s nothing personal. We’ve congratulated one another for making it to the pro ranks," he said.

Alvarez, however, has yet to negotiate with Shell for his contract as he’s still playing with the Fash ballclub in the PBL Platinum Cup. His team is in contention for the finals and he’s a top contender for the MVP award.

Will he gun for the PBA Rookie of the Year award? "I’ll just work hard. If it comes, it comes," said the two-time UAAP MVP awardee, who idolizes Coca-Cola workhorse Rudy Hatfield.

He also hopes to "play in the PBA just for one team and hopefully Shell gets Enrico (Villanueva)."

Alvarez’ entry into the PBA is a dream come true not only for himself but father Rudy who played collegiate ball with the Far Eastern University and San Sebastian College.

"Bata pa lang iyan nasa isip na ng father niya na makalaro siya sa national team then PBA kaya hindi siya in-apply for US citizen," said Santos of Rich whose father is a US navy officer.

The elder Alvarez said he intended to bring his son to San Sebastian before the offer to study and play at Ateneo came. Santos heard of the young Alvarez from former Ateneo player Bobby Rius.

Rudy said La Salle also made an offer but Rich himself decided to suit up for the Blue Eagles. Rich finished his inter-disciplinary studies course at Ateneo last October.