2025-11-04 19:06

I still remember the first time I stepped onto the professional court, that mix of excitement and sheer terror that comes with facing legends you've only watched on television. My journey to becoming a PBA player wasn't exactly what you'd call conventional - no silver spoon, no privileged background, just a kid from Bilbao with more heart than height and more determination than natural talent. What I lacked in physical advantages, I made up for with what my coach called "sponge mentality" - the ability to absorb every lesson, every experience, and every piece of advice that came my way.

Those early days were what you might call a baptism by fire. I was thrown into games against some of the most formidable guards in the amateur ranks, players who'd later become household names in Philippine basketball. There was this one particular game against a veteran guard who'd already been playing professionally for six years - he scored 28 points against me, and I remember thinking, "This is either going to break me or make me." I chose the latter. Instead of getting discouraged, I studied his movements, his footwork, how he created space even when defenders were all over him. That single game taught me more about perimeter defense than an entire season of practice sessions.

The transition from amateur to professional basketball in the Philippines isn't just about skill - it's about mental toughness and adaptability. During my rookie season with the Alaska Aces back in 2012, I quickly realized that physical training was only half the battle. The psychological aspect of the game, the ability to read opponents' strategies mid-game, and making split-second decisions under pressure - these were the skills that separated good players from great ones. I remember specifically working with our coaching staff to improve my three-point shooting percentage, which had been hovering around 32% during my first few months. Through relentless practice and studying film of legendary shooters like Allan Caidic, I managed to push that number to 38% by my second season.

What many people don't realize about professional basketball is how much happens off the court. The film sessions, the strategy meetings, the recovery protocols - they're just as crucial as what happens during the actual games. I developed this ritual of arriving at least three hours before game time, not just to warm up physically, but to mentally prepare myself. I'd visualize different game scenarios, imagine defending against various types of players, and rehearse offensive moves in my head. This mental preparation became especially valuable during the 2015 PBA Commissioner's Cup when I found myself matched up against an import who stood 6'8" - giving up nearly a full foot in height. Rather than being intimidated, I used my quickness and anticipation to force him into four turnovers in that single game.

The relationships you build throughout your career often become your greatest assets. I've been fortunate to play alongside some incredible talents - guys like Calvin Abueva and Vic Manuel during my time with Alaska. What impressed me most wasn't just their individual skills, but their basketball IQ and how they made everyone around them better. From Calvin, I learned about relentless energy and how to impact games beyond just scoring. From Vic, I picked up nuances of post positioning and using angles that you simply can't learn from textbooks. These lessons became particularly valuable when I moved to Phoenix Fuel Masters in 2018, where I had to adapt to a completely different system and role.

Injuries are the unspoken reality of professional sports that nobody really prepares you for. When I suffered that ankle sprain during the 2019 season that kept me out for six weeks, it was mentally challenging in ways I hadn't anticipated. The frustration of watching from the sidelines, the anxiety about whether you'll return to the same level - it tests your love for the game. But even during rehabilitation, I maintained that sponge mentality, studying games from a different perspective and noticing patterns I might have missed while playing. This period actually helped me develop a better understanding of team dynamics and offensive sets.

Looking back at my eight years in the PBA, what stands out aren't just the statistics or the highlight plays, but the gradual evolution of my understanding of basketball. From scoring a career-high 24 points against Ginebra in 2017 to recording 8 assists in a crucial playoff game against San Miguel, each milestone represented not just personal achievement but accumulated wisdom. The game slows down for you over time - what seemed like chaotic sequences during my rookie year now appear as recognizable patterns and opportunities.

The most valuable lesson I've learned throughout this journey is that growth happens in the uncomfortable moments - when you're matched up against someone better, when you're tired, when the game is on the line. That sponge mentality I developed early on continues to serve me well, whether I'm learning new offensive schemes or adapting to different coaching styles. Basketball, like life, keeps presenting new lessons if you're willing to absorb them. And while my career statistics might show 7.2 points per game average or my 42% field goal percentage, the numbers that matter most to me are the countless lessons learned, the relationships built, and the privilege of competing at the highest level of Philippine basketball for nearly a decade.

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