Aldin Ayo and the rest of Converge were surprised when elite Filipino-American guard Sedrick Barefield threw his name into the 2024 PBA Draft on Wednesday evening.
Almost everyone was expecting the former G-Leaguer to spend this season in Taiwan.
But after five years of playing around the world, the 27-year-old Corona, California-born hooper has decided to settle down and return to the motherland.
“No, I wasn’t expecting it. Akala ko nag-sign siya sa ibang club,” admitted FiberXers head coach Aldin Ayo.
“I was surprised.”
Heading into the final day of applications for the July 14 event, Justine Baltazar was the presumptive first pick.
Also 27 years old like Barefield, Baltazar has the height, standing at 6-foot-9.
In a league where big men are a luxury, the La Salle product is definitely a necessity. He also has a soft touch that is rare for his position.
Moreover, the native of Mabalacat, Pampanga, has an impressive pedigree.
He is a former Gilas pool member, an MPBL Most Valuable Player, and a three-time UAAP Mythical Team member.
However, Barefield is a rare gem for Philippine basketball.
The 6-foot-2 guard is a product of Division I school University of Utah. He also played for numerous European clubs while having a couple of stints with OKC Blue.
Now, Ayo and Converge have a dilemma on their hands. Fortunately, the draft is still more than a week away.
“It’s a good problem to have.
“Me, the coaching staff, and the management have to think about it really hard. We still have 11 days before the draft,” Ayo concluded.
