Getting a chance

In the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup, 25 rookies have so far suited up with Meralco’s Chris Newsome showing the way by averaging 11.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4 assists. Of the 25, only Globalport’s Philip Paniamogan was undrafted.

At least four more freshmen are waiting in the wings to play. Mark Cruz and Kevin Racal are getting into the groove of things with their new PBA teams after playing out their NCAA eligibility with Letran. Cruz is with the Star Hotshots while Racal has joined Alaska. Oping Sumalinog, who was Talk ‘N’ Text’s fourth round draft pick in 2013, is in the Tropa’s reserve lineup and may finally be given a chance to play by coach Joseph Uichico. Then, there is Michael Mabulac, a 6-4 former Jose Rizal frontliner who was San Miguel Beer’s third choice in the draft last August. Mabulac is in San Miguel’s active roster but has yet to be tapped for duty by coach Leo Austria.

Aside from Newsome, the only other rookie averaging in double figure points is Talk ‘N’ Text’s Mo Tautuaa who’s hitting at an even 10.0 clip with a single-game high of 18 in the Tropa’s 105-91 win over Meralco last Nov. 11. Another TNT rookie Troy Rosario is averaging a shade under 10.

For rookies, it’s all about getting the chance to show their wares. Paniamogan, for instance, was snubbed in the 2014 draft and made his way to the PBA through the back door. The former Jose Rizal guard impressed Globalport coach Pido Jarencio with his heads-up play during the offseason and found himself in the Batang Pier lineup this season. It was a tough climb for Paniamogan and now, he’s making the most out of the situation. He has scored a total of five points in three games so far and the minutes were hard-earned, considering the loaded Globalport backcourt with Stanley Pringle, Terence Romeo, Joseph Yeo, Jonathan Uyloan, Paolo Taha and another rookie Roi Sumang.

Paniamogan’s elevation to the active lineup is an inspiring story. His rise doesn’t only give hope for undrafted players to persevere but also for the little guys who are often overshadowed, literally and figuratively, by the bigs.

In the PBA today, Paniamogan isn’t the only undrafted player earning his keep. There are eight others in the list. Star’s Jerwin Gaco, 34, was undrafted in 2005 but never gave up on his dream to make it to the PBA. Gaco’s reputation as a “championship” player eventually brought him to the Purefoods franchise. Before breaking into the PBA, Gaco won seven PBL titles with Harbour Centre and an ABL crown with the Philippine Patriots.  He has so far played on five PBA champion teams with B-Meg and San Mig Coffee.

Mark Yee, 33, was undrafted in 2008 from San Sebastian Cavite. But he’s now on his eighth PBA season playing for Mahindra after stints with Burger King, Talk ‘N’ Text, Meralco and Globalport. Yee’s fearless approach to the game is what has extended his life in the pros. He’s an aggressive defender who isn’t afraid to take the big shot. This season, he’s averaging 12 points a game with the Enforcers. So far, Yee has chalked up two double-doubles with 17 points and 13 rebounds against Alaska last Nov. 6 and 17 points and 20 rebounds against Barako Bull last Tuesday.  Josh Urbiztondo, 32, was undrafted in 2009. The Fireball from the Bay Area has gone from Sta. Lucia Realty to B-Meg to Air 21 to Barangay Ginebra and is now bombing away with Barako Bull. He’s on his seventh PBA season. Last Sunday, Urbiztondo reminded fans that he’s still very much around by erupting for 24 points in leading the Energy to a 108-106 win over Meralco.

Chico Lanete, 36, was undrafted in 2006. He’s now on his ninth PBA season, playing for Barako Bull after moving from Purefoods to Barangay Ginebra to Coca-Cola to Burger King to Powerade to Petron to Meralco to San Miguel Beer. It’s been a journeyman career for Lanete but he can’t complain. He’s got a lock on the starting two-guard position at Barako Bull.

Uyloan, 31, was undrafted in 2009 and is now with Globalport after playing five seasons with Rain Or Shine. He’s a hard-nosed defender and an outside threat. Finally, there is Bryan Faundo who was also undrafted in 2009. The 6-7 center from Letran went from Barako Bull to Air 21 to Meralco to Globalport to Petron to Barangay Ginebra to Blackwater before returning to the Bolts this season. Faundo, 31, is an imposing interior presence for Meralco and provides defensive toughness. Jeckster Apinan, 28, was undrafted in 2013 and is now on his second season with NLEX. Hyram Bagatsing, 30, was undrafted in 2010, played a year with Shopinas/Air 21 in 2011-12 and is playing with Mahindra for the second straight season.

As the season progresses, more and more rookies will be given the chance to strut their skills. Take the case of Joseph Sedurifa, Meralco’s third round draft pick last August.  At first, the 6-1 guard didn’t seem to have a place in the Bolts crowded backcourt with Jimmy Alapag, Baser Amer, Anjo Caram and Simon Atkins. But coach Norman Black took a chance on the former University of Southern Philippines guard and hasn’t regretted it. Sedurifa, 25, fired four points in his PBA debut against Talk ‘N’ Text last Nov. 11 and earned a place in Black’s rotation.

Another unheralded rookie who recently got a chance to play was Barako Bull’s 6-5 center Yutien Andrada. The former La Salle Green Archer sat out Barako Bull’s first four games then got the tap from coach Koy Banal against Mahindra last Tuesday. Andrada, the Energy’s third round pick last August, delivered two points and two rebounds with no turnover in 5:25 minutes.