On paper, known-“garbage man” Raymar Jose is one of the cagers that have the least experience among the Gilas XII. But looking closely at his curriculum vitae, the 23-year-old has studied the competition in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.
For one whole year, the proud son of Pontevedra, Negros Occidental traveled the Southeast Asian circuit — he was part of the 2016 Stankovic Cup champions last May, while he ran the ABL circuit with the Kaohsiung Truth later in the year.
And Jose knows that this was why he was selected to be part of the team, Tuesday night.
“Ganun pa rin ang role ko dito, mag-operate sa baba at depensa. Rebounding. May mga nakalaban na rin naman ako sa mga makakalaban natin nung ABL e,” said Jose, who drew widespread praise from ABL coaches.
But being part of the SEA Games team for the first-time in his young career was unexpected, he shared. Going in, the 6-foot-5 big man just wanted to help out the National Team in his own little way.
“Hindi ko talaga in-expect ‘to e. Ang sa akin, kung anong opportunity na ibibigay sa akin, practice player man o anumang sabihin nila, ibibigay ko yung best ko,” the one-time UAAP champion expressed.
“Yun lang talaga mindset ko nun. At least nabigay ko yung best ko.”
Still, the Cignal HD Hawkeye could not hide his delight that he has been chosen to be part of the elite cast of upstarts.
“Masaya! Sobrang excited ako na makasali ako dito.
“Napakalaking blessing at opportunity ito na binigay sa akin nila coach Chot. Hinding-hindi ko sasayangin ito. Ibibigay ko yung best ko at kung anuman ang maitutulong ko sa bibigay na role sa akin,” he shared.
As seen all throughout his young career, Jose always makes sure to make the most out of the opportunities given to him, turning each possession into his own personal moment.
