The reigning PBA All-Filipino Cup champions San Miguel Beermen loaded up with quality players in the 2016 PBA Draft selecting 6-foot-9 big man Arnold Van Opstal in the special Gilas draft while getting the services of Filipino-American Rashawn McCarthy as the sixth pick in the regular draft.
Head coach Leo Austria shared that he is satisfied with how the draft turned out for one of the deepest teams in the league today.
“Masaya naman kami dahil magkakaroon ng ka-sparring partner si June Mar [Fajardo],” quipped Austria. “I think it’s good for June Mar and also good for Van Opstal. Alam ko idol niya yun eh.”
Austria admitted that drafting 6-foot guard McCarthy was a gamble and the he just followed the advice of lead assistant coach Boycie Zamar.
“Nakita ko yung kanyang mga video at nagtanong-tanong ako kila Coach Boycie, sabi niya okay daw yan so nag-rely ako sa kanila,” he reflected.
But as for Van Opstal, he admitted the the former DLSU Green Archer is still a project. But the Filipino-German’s ceiling is too high to pass up on especially with the team’s need of having a back-up for the reigning three-time MVP.
“Well alam naman natin na very raw pa siya, so kailangan mag-mature sila sa amin,” Austria said about Van Opstal. “Kung titingnan mo, kung sino yung best talent available.”
“Sabi nga nila, ‘you cannot teach height.'”
“I think, siya yung tallest player dito sa draft. Eh wala namang kumukuha. Alam niyo naman na naging successful kami dahil kay June Mar, malaki, so probably, he will be another back-up for June Mar dahil kokonti ang big man na available,” the champion mentor furthered.
However, Austria is giving no guarantees to the Gilas big man. Van Opstal still needs to prove his worth under the guiding eyes of Austria.
Elijah Millsap is set to return to the San Miguel Beermen in its Governors Cup campaign
“Depende yan sa ipapakita niya.
“Alam mo naman si June Mar, sa All-Filipino, naghahanap siya ng ka-partner at reliever, probably mabibigyan siya (ng minutes). But pagdating ng second and third conference, may import, yun ang mahirap sa mga big man, but depende pa rin sa kanila,” he closed.
