The sacrifices made by the Guinto family are starting to bear fruit
When Bradwyn Guinto returned to the Philippines after living in Australia, he always had one dream in mind: making it to the Philippine team. However, the road to get there had never been easy for the Bataan-born cager.
“I was born here but we migrated to Australia. I was there for 20 years and bumalik ako dito ng 2012,” Guinto shared.
Back in 2012, the barrel-chested power forward had been recruited by San Sebastian College-Recoletos. He had to leave Melbourne and everything that was familiar to him, including his family, for a shot at making a name for himself.
But his three-year stay with the Golden Stags had not been the smooth sailing he wanted it to be. During his stay, the team only made the Final Four once (during his rookie year), while his only individual award was an all-defensive team trophy back in the 91st season of the NCAA.
But if there’s one thing no one can deny, it’s that Guinto is a tireless workhorse.
“Bradwyn, he works hard and malaki pa ang mabibigay niya at mapapakita sa PBA,” former Mahindra head coach Chito Victolero remarked about Guinto after drafting him as the 14th overall pick in the 2015 PBA Draft.
In his first year in the PBA, he proved that he could keep up with the big boys of the big league, averaging 5.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in just 15 minutes of action. And he continues to flourish under coach Yeng Guiao and the NLEX Road Warriors.
Last Sunday, his hard work paid off as he was selected as one of the 12 PBA players that will join the Gilas Pilipinas pool. And it came as a surprise for the 25-year-old.
“I was expecting na it would be like Carlo [Lastimosa] or Gabo [Lanete] or [Sean] Anthony. It was surprising but I’ll take it,” he shared.
“It’s always been a dream. Who wouldn’t want to play for your country?”
Guinto, however, is not resting on his laurels, knowing that this is just step one of this new opportunity.
“Of course, I want to crack the roster. Definitely I’ll do my best and see where it goes from there,” he vowed.
He believes that having played under coach Topex Robinson, and his dribble-drive system in his collegiate days, and under Guiao, makes him more equipped to play under coach Chot Reyes.
“Hopefully I can be the right guy for him. I’ve played in the dribble-drive system before [under coach Bai Cristobal and Topex Robinson in San Sebastian] so hindi ako maninibago,” he said. “Coach Yeng is also one of the best coaches in the league. I try to learn everything that I can from him so I can be ready for any situation.”
But through all of this, he never forgets to look back.
“Being away from family, yung mga sacrifice na ginawa nila were all worth it.”
