Mahindra Enforcers guard Nico Elorde has become the latest Ateneo alum to play in the PBA, and the 33rd overall draft pick of the 2015 PBA Draft said he is excited to have the chance to share the stage with his fellow Blue Eagles again — this time in the professional ranks.
“Excited ako makatapat sila. Basta maging ready lang ako, yun naman ang sabi ni coach kasi anytime pwede ka ipasok,” Elorde shared, looking forward to a virtual Blue Eagles reunion.
Elorde, who was activated by the Enforcers last week, felt glad to be able to join recent Ateneo draftees Ryan Buenafe, JP Erram, Juami Tiongson, and Frank Golla in the big league after completing a stint in the ASEAN Basketball League for the Pilipinas MX3 Kings.
“Siyempre sobrang overwhelmed ako dahil tuloy-tuloy ang nangyayari sa career ko. After ng ABL, diretso agad ako dito. Sobrang nagpapasalamat ako,” Elorde said. “Sobrang blessing tong nakuha ko. Nagtetrain ako with them after ABL then inakyat na ako.”
Elorde also shared that he and his teammates back in Ateneo maintain a group chat in a messaging app, where they keep track of what’s happening in their respective careers.
“Meron kaming group tapos nalaman nila na nakapasok ako sa PBA so ayun, nag-congrats agad sila. Doon kami nag-u-update as Ateneo group,” Elorde said.
Still overwhelmed by the break, the rookie added he will just enjoy the present while also persevering for the future.
“Hintayin lang natin mangyayari. Basta ako trabaho lang then kung ano mang chance dumating, kunin lang yun. Ang mahalaga andito ka na, pagtiyagaan mo lang kung anong mararating mo,” he closed.
