Ten long years is no joke.
And that is why Aljon Mariano may take some time to accept his new reality following a surprising trade that brought him to Terrafirma.
“Siyempre 10 years din, ‘di mo masasabi na ‘di ko mami-miss kasi ang tagal ng pinagsamahan. Ang dami kong experience with them,” he said.
The 33-year-old forward said as much on Wednesday, on the heels of his first game in a Dyip uniform since being shipped by Barangay Ginebra.
His debut came a week after the PBA approved the deal that sent him and Maverick Ahanmisi to the regular minnows for its first-round pick next draft.
Not a few Kings fans were caught by surprise, particularly with Mariano’s inclusion in the package after serving as a loyal soldier to the franchise.
The former UST star spent the first 10 years of his career with the league’s most popular ball club, which drafted him 16th overall in 2015.
(C) PBA Images
“Since nung na-draft ako, talagang ‘yun na ‘yung alam ko na routine ko, na everyday with Ginebra, ganyan,” he reflected.
“And ‘yung mga playoffs, championships na napagsamahan namin,” added Mariano, who won seven league championships with Ginebra.
Not that he’s refusing to move forward, though.
As difficult as it was to bid goodbye to his old home, the former D-League standout is all set to start afresh with Terrafirma — and assume a bigger role.
“I have to move on lang,” he said.
He didn’t receive the kind of debut he wanted after they lost to Converge, 125-108, but Mariano did play well with 10 points, two rebounds, and three assists.
“Medyo ano rin, nag-aadjust din sa more playing minutes sa court,” he said after logging 17 minutes off the bench.
“Enjoy lang while I’m on the court.”
More than the numbers, it’s really about leading by example, which Mariano has been asked to do, and he’s more than willing to provide as much.
“Dito na ‘ko sa bagong team ko, kailangan ko lang mag-focus sa team na ‘to and give experience sa mga players na ‘to kasi mas bata ‘tong mga ‘to,” he said.
#WATCH: ADJUSTMENT PERIOD
Aljon Mariano admits he’s still getting used to his new squad at Terrafirma after his stint with Ginebra 🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/OgO7ZUA0EK
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#PBA50 pic.twitter.com/w2WD8PnOgL
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) October 22, 2025
