MANILA, Philippines — James Laput, Terrafirma’s eighth selection in the last PBA draft, relishes the opportunity to earn his stripes as a dependable big man for the Dyip.
The 6-foot-10 Laput, who signed a three-year rookie contract with the Dyip yesterday, is considered by some as a “project” but may be thrust into major frontline duties early in his PBA career.
“I feel like it’s a chance I should make the most of,” Laput said in The Game on One Sports.
“The mindset is always the same: going into practice, going into the game and keep learning. It’s a trial by fire but at the end of the day, I just have to listen to my coaches and be a star in my own role,” he said.
Laput, whose one-and-done season with La Salle was cut short by injury, will join forces with Aldrech Ramos, Eric Camson and Russel Escoto in manning the paint for the Dyip.
Terrafirma used the No. 8 pick it received from the CJ Perez trade with San Miguel to get the chance to select Laput after top draft pick Joshua Munzon.
“As my mentor Rob Reyes told me, you got a lot ahead of you, just got to make the most of the chances.
“So with that open mind and the willingness to learn and grow and listen to my coaches and teammates, I think us at Terrafirma, along with the pieces we have, we can turn some heads. I feel like we can,” he said.
Laput signed with Terrafirma ahead of Munzon, the prospective next face of the franchise who is still negotiating with the Dyip.