Mark Nonoy open to reunion with ‘second father’ Aldin Ayo in PBA

Former De La Salle Green Archer and UAAP Season 86 champion Mark Nonoy. Photo from UAAP Media.

MANILA — Mark Nonoy has the opportunity to take the next step in his young career.

The former De La Salle University guard is one of the highly-touted prospects in the 2024 PBA Rookie Draft. Aside from his stellar play in the UAAP which saw him win a title with the Green Archers in Season 86, the La Carlota, Negros Occidental native also turned heads during the Draft Combine earlier this week.

"I'm very thankful na nandito ako ngayon. Maganda sa experience kasi yun nga, yung mga coaches na pinapanood ko lang dati nung bata ako, andito sila ngayon, pinapanood ako. Kaya sobrang thankful ako," said the 5-foot-9 guard.

Aside from his on-court skills, what made Nonoy turn heads is his speed and jumping ability. He shared that he inherited these from his parents who are also athletes. 

"Inborn na ata sa akin yung speed eh," said Nony, whose mother was a track and field athlete, while his father was also a basketball player. 

"Kumbaga andoon na sa akin yung speed siguro," he added, while also pointing out what he thinks he can bring to the table if his name will be called during the draft proceedings.

"Yung aggressiveness ko sa defense and offense. Kung ano yung mga kulang sa mga team na willing kumuha sa akin, siguro I'll try my best na ma-provide yung mga kulang na yun sa team nila na ma-provide ko."

These traits earned Nonoy comparisons to another speedy guard in Jayson Castro, but he knows that he has a long way to go before he reaches the level of "The Blur."

"Number one idol ko, Jayson Castro. Yun nga, gusto ko siyang maka-teammate or opponent. Gusto ko lang i-test kasi kino-compare nila sa akin. Gusto ko lang sana siya maging, huwag sana siyang ma-offend, na isa siya sa barometer ng career ko. Gusto kong mahigitan kung anong meron sa kaniya."

"Idol ko na talaga siya since na binansagan nila ako na Jayson Castro nung high school days ko. Talk 'N Text days niya pa pinapanood ko na talaga sila. Tapos na-compare pa sa kaniya as idol ko, kaya sobrang thankful ako," he added.

Nonoy, who also played for the University of Santo Tomas, already has a list of skills that he wants to work on as he continues with his basketball career and hopes to enter the PBA.

"Siguro the way kung paano ako mag-finish, paano mag-adjust sa system. Alam ko sa sarili ko na marami pa akong kailangan i-improve. Hindi ko naman lahat kayang i-improve yun, kumbaga may ilang months pa naman ako bago mag-season, kailangan mapunan ko yung mga kulang sa akin," he said.

Nonoy stressed that he is open to playing for any team and any coach in the league.

"Ako kahit saan naman, kasi ako willing to adjust naman ako or kung anuman ang gustong pagawa sa akin ng coaches, gagawin ko lang. Siyempre hindi ko na papakawalan yung opportunity na ganito eh. Kahit saan okay lang ako," he said

But if he were to choose, the former Growling Tiger wouldn't mind reuniting with his former coach in España — Converge FiberXers' Aldin Ayo.

Converge FiberXers head coach Aldin Ayo. Photo from PBA Images.

"Siyempre may number one, si Coach Aldin din. Kumbaga kung ano ako ngayon, isa rin si Coach Aldin sa tumulong sa akin. Kung open sila, why not? Siyempre as a second father ko na rin nung UST days namin, sobrang thankful ako and siyempre, magtatrabaho ulit ako sa kaniya kung kailangan," he said.

Converge owns the first overall pick in the PBA Rookie Draft.

The annual Rookie Draft will be held on Sunday at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati and will start at 4 p.m.