Cousins ready to make mark in pro league

MANILA, Philippines - Three first cousins are listed as rookie prospects in the PBA draft at the Robinson’s Place Manila this Sunday and if the scouts are on the ball, they might just find playing slots when the league’s 40th season opens on Oct. 19.

It’s the first time in PBA history that three first cousins are in the same draft. There are two sets of brothers – Junjun and Kevin Alas and Anthony and David Semerad – and one pair of first cousins Manny and Rene Pacquiao in the lottery. But 6-4 1/2 Frank Golla of Ateneo, 5-9 Jonathan Banal of Mapua and 6-2 Gab Banal of La Salle/Mapua are in the books as the first cousin threesome to apply for the draft in the same year. Of course, they’re all hoping to be picked.

Golla’s mother Kaye is the younger sister of Jonathan’s father Koy, who is an assistant coach with Barako Bull, and Gab’s father Joel, the former Ateneo/Talk ‘N’ Text/Alaska head coach. Basketball is in the Banal bloodline. Joel’s brother Conrad played with the Ateneo varsity and his son Dominic, a 6-5 center, suited up a year in the UAAP. Another cousin 6-2 Jobim Garcia, whose mother May is a Banal, teamed up with Arwind Santos at FEU and now lives in Australia. Gab’s brother Rafael, 21, is 6-2 and plays for Hope International University in Los Angeles.

The cousins are now making the team rounds to show their wares. They’ve practiced with Barako and they were recently invited to a workout by Globalport. Golla and Gab were at a Rain Or Shine practice while Jonathan went to a Kia session. They know if they’re drafted, the possibility of playing together is remote. “This is work,” said Gab who played with Golla on the Philippine U18 team under coach Franz Pumaren in 2008. “We’ll go our separate ways.” Gab’s agent is Charlie Dy while Danny Espiritu takes care of Jonathan. Ateneo alumnus Arben Santos is looking out for Golla.

Each cousin has a legitimate basis to play in the PBA. Golla, 24, played on four UAAP title teams and last year, took on a leadership role in a character-building season with new coach Bo Perasol. In his fifth Ateneo campaign, Golla averaged 4.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 23.2 minutes. “My best season was when I led Ateneo in rebounding as a sophomore,” said Golla. “I focused on defense and rebounding after Rabeh (Al Hussaini) graduated. Then came Kiefer Ravena and Greg Slaughter. When Greg graduated, Poy (Erram) and I had to step up as the bigs. We also lost Nico (Salva) and Justin (Chua) so we had big shoes to fill. As one of the veterans, I became more vocal. The experience broadened my perspective and prepared me for bigger things in the future.”

Golla said he’s ready to play four or five in the PBA. “I’m improving my mid-range game and if necessary, I could also slide to three,” he said. “Matching up against an idol like Ranidel de Ocampo will be tough but I won’t back down. I’ll stop short, stay in front and beat him to the rebound. I won’t allow put-backs. On offense, I’m trying to develop as a stretch four. I know there aren’t too many bigs in the draft so I’m praying that I’ll be blessed and get picked. If a team is looking for a reliable big, please get in touch.”

Jonathan, 25, played five years with the Mapua seniors. He was voted Rookie of the Year by the NCAA Press Corps and has invested in five seasons in the semi-pros from the PBL to the PBA D-League. He teamed up with Dylan Ababou at Magnolia in the PBL and cousin Gab at Cebuana Lhuillier in the D-League.

“My strength is my quickness,” said Jonathan. “I was trained to be defense-oriented by my dad. But I won’t hesitate to take the pull-up jumper or floater if there’s an opportunity. I like to play pressure defense as the energy guy. I can play one or two and I’m comfortable in the halfcourt or in the open court. I can set up the play or push it. I’m used to being the leader on the floor and I try to lead by example. In the PBA, I don’t mind being a role player. In the D-League, my basic role was to pressure the opposing point guard.”

Gab, 23, has two terms left before earning a degree in Information Systems at La Salle. He transferred from the Green Archers to the Cardinals with whom he played in 2012-13, averaging 7.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 25.3 minutes in 14 games. Gab played four conferences in two D-League seasons with Cebuana and made it to two semifinals.

What makes Gab an attraction is his ability to play multiple positions. “I can be a wing stopper,” he said. “Against a Gabe Norwood, I’ll try to bait him to be more aggressive on offense, to take away his facilitating, to make him do things he’s not used to. I’m a physical player and I’ll use my strength to my advantage. In the PBA, two of the three conferences are with imports so I can be useful to a team because I can play different positions. In the D-League, I defended guys like Reil Cervantes. At La Salle, I was a three-point shooter. At Mapua, I did a lot of creating for my teammates. At Cebuana, I learned how to move without the ball and find ways to score. In every stop, I learned a lot. I got used to playing different styles of ball and it’s a blessing. I can play possession by possession or run-and-gun which is fun, quick and entertaining. Whatever the coach’s style is, I’ll adjust and do my best.”

Gab said if he’s not drafted, that’s it for basketball. “My deal with my dad is if I don’t get drafted, I’m moving on,” he said. “I have no Plan B which means I’ve got to make this work. I think it’s my dad’s way of motivating me.” Jonathan said if he’s not drafted, he’ll keep on trying to work his way to the PBA through the D-League and Golla said if he’s not lucky on Sunday, he’ll explore other options outside of the game. Their common prayer is they’ll all get drafted and enjoy long careers in the PBA. After all, basketball is in their blood.