Ex-Gilas cadet Pascual excited to learn from Star veterans

MANILA, Philippines -- Just a year removed from his rookie season, Star’s newly-acquired big man Jake Pascual said he’s excited to learn from the Hotshots’ established superstars led by James Yap, Marc Pingris, Peter June Simon and Mark Barroca heading into the PBA’s 41st season next month.

Coming off a productive first-year in the pros with Barako Bull, the 6-foot-5 was part of a six-player, four-team trade that was completed on Monday afternoon.

“Yung excitement and kaba ang nangingibabaw kasi kapag sinabi mong player ka ng Purefoods, ang dating eh, malakas na ang pressure na kailangan makatulong sa team, kasi big team na talaga yan,” Pascual told Philstar.com on Monday, shortly after PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa approved of the complicated trade.

Pascual averaged decent numbers of 6.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in more than 23 minutes of play in 36 games with the Energy last season.

His effort earned him a spot in the PBA Press Corps’ All-Rookie team. recently

The former San Beda forward, however, isn’t resting on his laurels this early, as he admitted that he still has a lot to learn in the pro league.

“Kasama sa excitement ko iyung matuto pa kasi sila Barroca, Ping and James, PJ Simon, nandun na. So maraming veterans dun,” he said.

The 23-year-old Pascual said he isn’t even in a hurry to get the lion’s share of playing time with the Hotshots, aware of the pecking order at the Star’s frontcourt that includes Pingris, Rafi Reavis, Ian Sangalang and Yousef Taha.

“Para sa akin, yung quality minutes ibibigay ko. Kung ano ang ibibigay sa akin ni coach Jason, tatanggapin ko saka yung trust, kailangan ko pa kunin sa kanya,” explained Pascual, a member of the Gilas cadet squad that won the gold medal in the 2013 Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball.

The soft-spoken incoming sophomore big man also looks forward to interacting with Star’s huge fan base as he tries to contribute to the team’s championship aspirations right away.

“Hopefully magustuhan nila (Star fans) ako. Promise ko lang naman sa kanila na sama-sama kaming magtutulungan sa team, kasi siyempre ang Purefoods ang sinasabi nga nilang may second-most nga daw na pinaka-maraming fans sa PBA,” he added.