Reed Baclig felt elated with his selection by AMA Online Education as the number one pick in the 2020 PBA D-League Draft, but he did not deny the pressure that comes with it.
The 17-year-old point guard was surprisingly the top selection in the draft proceedings last January, since many expected the Titans to nab former De La Salle Green Archer Jamie Malonzo. However, the Kings passed up the 6-foot-6 Fil-Am.
“Siyempre, masaya po. Nagpapasalamat po ako kay Lord dahil binigyan niya ako ng blessing na ganun,” Baclig said.
“Pero opo may pressure, kasi ‘yung expectations ng ibang tao mataas.”
Baclig and AMA made their Aspirants’ Cup debut Thursday, but it turned sour after they absorbed a 67-113 humiliation at the hands of APEX Fuel Mindanao-San Sebastian.
“‘Di mo ine-expect katulad ng nilalaro mo sa collegiate. Dito mas aggressive, puro pisikal, tsaka mas competitive ‘yung mga kalaban,” Baclig said of his first-ever taste of the D-League experience.
The 5-foot-7 floor general only scored three points on 1-of-8 shooting from the field in the 22 minutes and 58 seconds he saw action, but he collected nine assists, three rebounds, and two assists.
Baclig had a decent outing, but that did not leave AMA’s homegrown talent satisfied at all. Now, he looks to work on his game even harder to help the Titans rebound quickly.
“Kulang pa ‘yung binigay kong best dahil first pick ako, ganun. Kaya magte-training pa ako ng mas maigi.”
