Arnold Van Opstal is staying patient, as he trusts the journey
After logging in just nine minutes and 47 seconds in his first six games with the league-leading San Miguel Beermen, Gilas cadet Arnold Van Opstal finally scored his first bucket as a pro. And boy, was it sweet for the 25-year-old big man.
Friday evening, with San Miguel holding an imposing 108-90 lead against Blackwater with 2:35 remaining, AVO’s name was called to sub in for reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo. However, his excitement got the best of him as he was called for an offensive foul against Denok Miranda.
“I keep on telling him every game, be patient, your time will come,” San Miguel head coach Leo Austria remarked about Van Opstal.
With the crowd cheering him on — trying to put excitement back in a game that had been a whitewashing all throughout — the Filipino-German willed his way through the paint to score his first-ever points as a pro with 2:07 left on the clock. The crowd and his teammates went absolutely bonkers as the former De La Salle Green Archer swished his bucket.
“Siyempre nakakatuwa. Dumaan din ako sa pagiging rookie tapos nung first basket ko sa PBA, ganun din yung na-feel ko dati,” shared Fajardo, who had scored his first PBA bucket back in October 3, 2012 against Rain or Shine.
“Ganun yung nafee-feel ko ngayon para sa kanya”
Van Opstal went on to score another bucket and knocked down a couple of free throws, making the most of the two minutes and 34 seconds of game time he was given. He ended the game with six points and a rebound, but for him, this is all part of the process — especially after missing two years of competitive basketball.
“They keep telling me to be patient and I am patient. I have a great group of guys here and it’s fun for me even if I’m playing or not, I’m still having fun cheering guys on,” the 6-foot-9 center shared.
“On the bench, I’m just having fun. That’s how basketball is supposed to be. When I’m on the court or not, I’m just here to give positive energy to the guys so we could come up with a win.”
Moreover, there are two variables that are also helping him in this journey: the franchise’s winning culture and teammates who are willing to teach him. And Van Opstal knows how fortunate he is to be in this kind of situation.
“All these guys have names and they’re just so down-to-earth, they don’t have egos, so accepting and inviting,” the rookie added. “That was a learning process in the sense that the reason they’re so successful is because they don’t let their egos get in the way.”
“I’m really lucky to be on this team.”
And Van Opstal has already endeared himself to the best big man in the country today.
“[Dapat maging] patient lang siya. Minsan kasi may mga games siya na hindi nagagamit so patient lang siya,” three-time PBA MVP Fajardo said.
“Darating din ang time niya.”
