Refocused and ready to get back on track
Ronald Pascual — the third overall pick of the 2014 PBA Draft, who last played for the Blackwater Elite in 2016 — has been with the Alaska Aces for months now. And he is trying to use the PBA Preseason Games as a way to crack into the main roster.
“Gustong-gusto ko makapasok sa team para makabalik na ‘ko sa PBA,” said Pascual, who also made stops with the San Miguel Beermen and Star Hotshots in his first two years in the league.
The 29-year-old plays as if he has been with the Aces for a very long time. In their 110-97 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Wednesday, Pascual made his presence felt with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting plus five rebounds.
“Okay naman kasi yung system, kabisado ko na. Masarap maglaro ‘pag yung system medyo alam mo na,” said the native of Mexico, Pampanga, who logged in an average of nine minutes and 48 seconds in the preseason.
“Yeah, he’s coming back,” lauded Alaska head coach Alex Compton of Pascual.
“I’m proud of him. He had to fight through some things. He’s doing the work.”
And another fine example of Pascual being at-home is the way he runs two-man plays with Calvin Abueva during games — just like the old times when they, along with Ian Sangalang, had led the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags to the top of the NCAA back in 2009.
“Kahit sa practice ginagawa namin yun. Gaya nung ginagawa namin noong college,” Pascual reflected as he looked back at the wonder years.
Still, Pascual does not want to be too confident of his chances of making it to the squad. He is aware that he still has plenty to work on, as he is hard-pressed to make a return to the local professional arena.
“Yung physical condition ko [tatrabahuhin ko pa]. Kasi ang tagal ko na-off. Tsaka yun nga, yung system pa rin,” a determined Pascual said.
“Marami pa akong dapat gawin, para sa’kin.”
