Push Admin

43-year-old makes case to become oldest PBA rookie

Article (news)

Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">At 43, Charles Caluya is the oldest rookie hopeful this year. <a href="https://t.co/bqD2oa4z2D">pic.twitter.com/bqD2oa4z2D</a>— Camille B. Naredo (@camillenaredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/camillenaredo/status/791542368184872960">October 27, 2016</a></blockquote><script async="" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>MANILA, Philippines – Charles Caluya, at 43 years old, is not letting go of his PBA dream.He is the oldest and shortest player to declare for the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft, and he showed up to the Draft Combine on Wednesday and Thursday determined to prove to PBA coaches that he has what it takes to play at a professional level.A graduate of University of the East, Caluya is a long shot to even be included in the final list of potential draftees. The PBA said that he is &quot;not fit to play&quot; based on the results of the tests conducted in Day 1 by Focus Athletics, as he scored low in the various agility and athleticism tests.He was thus not allowed to play on Thursday during the mini-tournament, and was reduced to cheering on the sidelines as his teammates, led by Jiovani Jalalon, went on to win the championship.<ul class="op-related-articles" title="Read">	<li>READ: <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2016/10/27/jalalon-cops-championship-plus-mvp-pba-draft-combine-17159">Jalalon cops championship plus MVP in PBA Draft Combine</a></li></ul>Yet this has not stopped Caluya from making a case for himself as a potential selection on Sunday. Caluya said he was given a letter of invitation and a ticket to the PBA Draft -- and he fully intends to go to Robinsons Place Manila if he makes it to the final list of draftees.&quot;Kung hindi, kung wala ako sa official list, eh sana matulungan ako ni Sir Manny Pacquiao at ni Sir Manny Pangilinan,&quot; Caluya said. &quot;Kasi &#x27;yung mga batang umaasa sa akin, saka &#x27;yung tatay ko na gusto kong pa-operahan, baka sabihin nila, I let them down.&quot;&quot;Kasi kumbaga ang nangyari, parang sa school, may exam, binagsak ka, hindi ka pa naman nagte-take. Let&#x27;s see kung nasa official list ako. Wala pa namang sinasabi,&quot; he added.&quot;Kung nasa official list ako on October 30, pupunta ako.&quot;Caluya firmly believes that even at 43-years-old – he is the oldest player to ever declare for the Rookie Draft – he still has plenty to offer for PBA teams.&quot;I can play the one and two positions,&quot; said Caluya, who held court for over 10 minutes after Thursday&#x27;s mini-tournament, and even met Asi Taulava on Wednesday. &quot;Modesty aside, sir, I can dribble-drive, penetrate.&quot;&quot;Great passer ako. Pag-open ako, &#x27;di ko pinu-pwersa. Defense. Tapos from a small size, may post moves ako,&quot; he said.His player comparison, Caluya insisted, is retired NBA legend Kobe Bryant. &quot;Ginagaya ko &#x27;yung moves ni Kobe,&quot; he said. &quot;Ewan ko nga kung napapanood niyo kahapon &#x27;yung bank shots ko.&quot; The 43-year-old hopeful then proceeded to call out the Laker great: &quot;I&#x27;m calling you out, man, I am the ultimate Kobe Bryant fan because I imitate your moves. I hope to see you someday here in the Philippines. Meet Kobe Charles, your great imitator.&quot;Even outside of the court, Caluya believes he can be a major asset to a PBA team. He read that GlobalPort owner Mikee Romero is looking for ways to draw more fans to the league, and promptly volunteered his services.&quot;Makaka-attract ako ng more fans,&quot; he declared. &quot;Kasi, 43-years-old, maglalaro sa PBA, &#x27;di ba? Siyempre, magkakaroon kayo ng interest.&quot;&quot;Naghahanap ng market ang PBA, kaya kong ibigay &#x27;yun,&quot; he added. &quot;Kaya kong magdala ng fans sa PBA.&quot;&quot;Energy, total entertainment, I can give. You will never see a player like me. You haven&#x27;t seen a player like me, kung ako ang papalarin.&quot;Caluya did not have that chance to show off his game on Thursday. He put on his uniform in the final game of the mini-tournament, when his teammates battled back from a late deficit to send the game to overtime. He said that their coach, Rob Wainwright, tried to sub him in, but they were advised not to.&quot;Nirespeto namin,&quot; Caluya said, even as he laments the lost opportunity to show his array of moves. The man who so readily challenged Kobe Bryant believes that if the coaches and assembled media had seen him play, they would have seen that he deserves a shot at the big league.&quot;Kung pinalad akong makapaglaro, sir,&quot; he said, &quot;Nakita niyo sana. Na-amaze ko kayo, kahit papano.&quot;(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website.</a>)

43-year-old makes case to become oldest PBA rookie

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Sports

43-year-old makes case to become oldest PBA rookie

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 27, 2016 08:02 PM PHT

|

Updated Oct 27, 2016 10:48 PM PHT

Read More:

PBA Rookie Draft

Charles Caluya

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.