High-risk pick Buenafe vows to reward Aces’ gamble

MANILA, Philippines – Alaska Aces pulled one of the biggest Draft Day surprises when they picked burly Ateneo forward Ryan Buenafe as the eight overall pick.

Buenafe himself was surprised to get picked that high in the deepest rookie draft in recent years. He was picked ahead of more highly-touted rookies Alex Nuyles, his college teammate Nico Salva and Jeric Teng.  

“Na-surprise ako kaya thankful ako sa Alaska management. Kasi expected ko sa second round pa ako makukuha,” Buenafe told Philstar.com.

His well-documented problem of staying in game shape became a weighty issue that made him a high-risk pick and was pegged to be at best a second round pick by all pre-draft analysis.  But the Aces are banking that Buenafe could overcome that and reward their gamble on him.

Buenafe, who once lost his spot in the Ateneo Blue Eagles for one season due to weight problems, vowed not to lose this opportunity to play in the pro league.

“Kailangan kong mag-lose weight bago ang opening day. I’m 225 lbs. now, siguro kahit 215 lbs. ako sa opening day, okay na ako,” Buenafe said.

The pressure to prove that he deserved to become a first rounder also weighs on him.

“Pressured ako ngayon at kailangang magpakita talaga ako para ma-prove na hindi sila nagkamali sa aki,” Buenafe said.  

“Kailangang maging consistent na ako. Hindi na pwedeng pag masama ang gising, masama rin ang laro. Kailangang magtrabaho ako,” he added.