IF there’s somebody eager to see the PBA’s 46th season kick off, it’s Terrafirma’s Bobby Rosales.
According to the Dyip’s representative to the PBA Board and its current vice-chairman, only through actual games would they see if their decision to tab Joshua Munzon and James Laput in the first round of the draft last March would be validated.
“Talagang sabik na ang lahat na mag-umpisa na PBA, lalo na ako,” Rosales said. “Gusto ko na talagang makita how they’ll perform in actual games.”
Top overall pick Munzon is undeniably a certified PBA star-in-the-making, having gained vast experience while playing for Cal State-LA, for Saigon and Malaysia in the Asean Basketball League and in the 3×3 circuit, where he is currently the country’s top-ranked player.
The 6-foot-4 Fil-Am guard also suited up for AMA Online Education Titans in the PBA D-League, where he put up staggering numbers of 35.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in the 2019 Aspirants’ Cup.
Equally big are the expectations on Laput, who was acquired through a controversial route.
At 6-foot-10 and tallest among the draft applicants, the Fil-Australian was chosen at No. 8 overall by Terrafirma, which acquired the rights to him as part of the trade with San Miguel Beer for two-time scoring champion CJ Perez.
It was a deal that had to be made to fill up what the Dyip sorely lacked to be competitive, according to Rosales.
“We really had missing pieces and although it was a difficult decision to trade away CJ, it had to be made,” stressed Rosales. “If you want to get something of value, you should be willing to give up something of value also.”
The amiable executive now believes the major holes in his team have been plugged.
“I have a stronger team now. I think ha? Kasi, unang-una, may malaki na ako ngayon,” he explained.
“I don’t know how he’ll perform in actual games. Pero iyon ang hinahanap ko, unang-una.
Akala ko nga hindi ko na aabutan. Biro mo, No. 8? Napaka-suwerte ko naman, ika ko.
Meron na akong Munzon, meron pa akong malaki. Kaya laking pasasalamat ko. Talagang sinuwerte ako sa draft na ito, sa totoo lang.”
Also acquired from that Perez trade were defensive specialist Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, veteran guard Gelo Alolino and frontliner Russell Escoto, helping boost a Terrafirma roster that already has the likes of Roosevelt Adams, Aldreech Ramos, Juami Tiongson, Reden Celda, Eric Camson and Andreas Cahilig.
Ever since being allowed to, the Dyip have regularly practiced in Batangas City, taking small steps to develop chemistry.
Due to his recent stint with the country’s 3×3 squad in the FIBA OQT, Munzon is only set to join his new team next week. But Rosales sees no problem there.
“Kapag ina-announce na puwede ng mag-start tournament, aba’y siguro palagay ko by that time ready na kami,” said Rosales. “Sana naman mag-perform na ng mahusay ang team.”
