Heading into the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft, Jonathan Grey was pegged as a potential top three pick. Many of the projections in the draft boards saw him head to the Blackwater Elite, the Phoenix Fuel Masters, or the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. And why not?
The former College of Saint Benilde Blazer was spectacular in the PBA D-League as he helped lead the Caida Tile Masters, later on re-branded as the Racal Tile Masters during the Foundation Cup, to two semifinals appearances.
However, the three teams passed on the known gunslinger. The Mahindra Floodbusters, the Star Hotshots, and reigning PBA Philippine Cup champions San Miguel Beermen also passed up on the 24-year-old shooting guard. The Meralco Bolts, a team in need of another shooter, eventually picked up Grey as the seventh overall pick of the regular draft.
The drop to seventh pick did not dampen Grey’s mood as he was just happy to play for any club team that wanted him. Especially since no one expected him to be in the PBA coming out of high school.
“Sobrang masaya ako, sobra. Sobrang masaya at excited sa mga susunod na mga linggo kasi makaka-practice ko na yung mga players ng Meralco,” the 6-foot-1 guard shared immediately after being drafted. “Alam niyo naman na galing silang championship, so excited na excited ako.”
Moreover, he himself tempered his expectations entering the biggest day for PBA hopefuls. “Wala, hindi ko iniisip yun eh. Sa akin, mula pa lang nung start, ang dream ko naman ay ma-draft lang,” the soft-spoken guard added. “So wala, hindi ko iniisip yung first, second, third, fourth, fifth.
“Hindi ko iniisip na bakit ganun? Wala. Basta sa akin, masayang-masaya ako na ma-draft ako.”
And playing under the tutelage of multi-time champion coach Norman Black is what excites Grey the most. He is hoping that he can be the piece that gets the Bolts over the hump.
“Marami akong matutunan kay coach Norman, excited na ako,” remarked the one-time Gilas pool member. “Gagawin ko yung best ko pag nag-start yung practice. Alam naman natin kung gaano ka-grabe yung team work ng team nila, so excited ako.
“Marami akong matutunan, lalo na andun sa mga veterans, sila Jimmy Alapag, sobrang excited ako talaga.”
