PBA dreams finally come true for Ginebra practice player

MANILA, Philippines – For five months, former De La Salle-College of St. Benilde center Jericho de Guzman was in some sort of limbo with the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings.

On one hand, he was a practice player for the league's most popular franchise. Yet on the other hand, he was not "officially" part of the Barangay. De Guzman was not on the roster, and never played a single PBA game for the Gin Kings even as he regularly trained with them.

All that changed on Sunday, when Ginebra selected the 6-foot-11 De Guzman with the 10th pick of the second round of the PBA Rookie Draft, officially making him part of the Barangay.

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"Right now, sobrang saya ko," De Guzman said. "Dream come true talaga ito."

"Pinag-trabahuhan ko ng five months, parang nag-pay off siya ngayon," he added. "Officially, kabarangay na ako."

De Guzman confessed that he came to a point where he almost gave up on his dream. But he soldiered on and threw himself into the unglamorous role of a practice player -- which proved to be his ticket to the PBA.

"Naghanap ako ng mga ways kung paano ako makakabalik sa path na gusto ko patunguhan," he said. "Ayun na nga. Nag-pay off, at andito ako ngayon."

Ginebra coach Tim Cone knows exactly what he is getting with De Guzman. "We really needed some big bodies in practice," Cone admitted, pointing out that they will not have the services of Justin Brownlee in the All-Filipino Cup.

With Greg Slaughter still recovering from a knee injury, the Gin Kings are down to four frontcourt players – Japeth Aguilar, Joe Devance, Dave Marcelo, and Jervy Cruz.

"It was important for us to get Jericho," he said. "He's been practicing with us all year. He knows our system, so he'll be able to step in and continue what he's been doing for us."

Of course, De Guzman is hoping that after getting drafted, he will finally get some real playing time in the PBA, aside from continuing his former role in Ginebra. He knows it will take even more hard work, but insists he is willing to make it happen.

"Ito na ang start," he said. "Ibibigay ko lahat ng best ko. Pagsisikapan ko talaga na umangat pa ang level ng laro ko, para sa Barangay."

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