Alvin Pasaol has been one of the poster boys of Philippine 3×3 basketball. And for the next few years, the Davaoeño will continue to be it.
Moments after winning the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Magiting Cup with Wilkins Balanga, the 24-year-old declared that he will not be entering the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft this December.
“Para ma-clear na, ‘di ako magpapa-draft this year. Itutuloy ko yung campaign ko na sinimulan ko for 3×3.”
The burly 6-foot-3 forward – who was hailed as the Most Valuable Player of the Magiting Cup — is the second-best 3×3 player in the country, 136th in the world. He was a pivotal player in lifting the country’s standings in the FIBA 3X3 World Rankings.
With the country closing in on an Olympic Qualifying Tournament-berth, Pasaol wants no distractions — and this includes the draft.
“Tatapusin natin ‘to. Pupunta tayo ng Olympics. Yun lang yung masasabi ko.”
It’s been less than a year since Pasaol left the University of the East. With 3×3, he admitted that he has learned to be a more well-rounded person.
“Siguro natutunan ko rito maging mas patient. ‘Di mo kailangan i-down yung mga kasama mo. Kailangan mo sila parating alalayan. Sa mga kalaban naman, ‘di mo sila pwedeng isiping mahina sila. Kailangan mo silang respetuhin as players, as human beings.”
