Jason Brickman remains very much a part of Meralco in the forthcoming PBA 3×3 inaugurals even if he’s gone thousands of miles away.
“He’s also a part of this, kasi he also worked for ilang months din bago siya umalis for Taiwan,” said Tonino Gonzaga during the league’s Media Day, Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Fil-Am playmaker signed with the ball club last March to play for the new tournament, shortly after not being able to join yet another Rookie Draft as he failed to submit the BI recognition and the DOJ affirmation.
He was then touted to become one of the poster boys for the upstart league even arriving in the country to train early with the team. However, a new opportunity came for the 29-year-old.
Six months later, Brickman decided that he’d take his talents to Taiwan instead. The 6-foot guard inked a deal with Kaohsiung of the T1 League, paving the way for a couple more Filipino cagers to go to the newly-founded association.
Bolts forward Alfred Batino would’ve preferred that his teammate stayed put, But he understands and, more importantly, respects his decision.
“Sa’kin oo, kasi napaka-talented na tao talaga ni Jason,” he said, when asked if he regrets not having the chance to play with Brickman.
“But, wala naman kami magagawa kasi ‘di namin control ‘yun. Iwo-work out na lang namin kung ano meron sa team. Good luck sa kanya, sa career niya. [Pero] Nanghihinayang talaga kami,” added the 6-foot-5 bruiser.
Still, all of Meralco only has immense gratitude towards Brickman for setting the standard as to how Bolts 3×3 should be as a team.
“Malaki na rin yung naiambag niya,” said Gonzaga.
“Kasi before mag-lockdown ulit, nakapag-practice naman kami. And the standards that he set for us are high, at world-class sa tingin ko. Kaya hard din kami mag-practice ngayon.”
The well-travelled cager may have left but the MVP Group-owned team is actually perceived as a dark horse in the tilt, for it boasts of a lineup featuring players that have already been seasoned in the halfcourt game.
Gonzaga and Maclean Sabellina played for Nueva Ecija in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup last year. Together with Gab Banal and Jai Reyes, the Rice Vanguards went all the way to the title bout.
That same tourney held at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna, also known as the ‘Calambubble,’ also saw Batino in action for Bacolod.
Now, the trio is joined by ex-pros Dexter Maiquez and Joseph Sedurifa in the league that raises its curtains this Saturday.
“Kaming tatlo ni Ryan tsaka ni Maclean, mapalad na nakapaglaro na rin ng 3×3 kasi malaking adjustment sa 5-on-5 ‘to,” said Gonzaga, who won gold medals with Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP.
“At least, madadala namin sa practice every day. At I’m sure by now, nakapag-adjust na rin kami kasi ilang linggo na kami naglalaro.”
But if ever there will be an opportunity somewhere down the road where they could play with Brickman, they’re definitely all for it.
“Yes, kung ‘di pa siya magpa-draft,” said Batino, himself a fifth-round pick by NLEX in the 2015 draft proceedings.
“Sana.”
