The pain of being treated like a nobody still lingers in Jerwin Gaco.
The Manila Stars of the MPBL sparked discussion recently, but for the wrong reasons, as the team did not sign the veteran pro cager for the league’s next conference even if the two camps already had a verbal agreement.
What makes it worse is the fact that Gaco wasn’t informed of the team’s decision formally — he was just texted that he won’t be signed, and he only knew of this just three days before the deadline of roster submission.
“Nag-ensayo ako doon ng almost two weeks, nagkasundo na kami sa presyo, nag-usap na kami, pirma na lang. Ang labas sa akin, tinext lang ako na ‘di ako kasama sa lineup. Parang mali naman sa akin yun,” Gaco exhaled.
“Parang ang unprofessional naman kausap.
“Sa totoo lang, nung nalaman ko yung ginawa ng Manila, sobrang sakit. Para sa akin, kinausap man sana ako ng maayos, hindi yung text lang. Para naman akong rookie,” the 37-year-old pointed out.
According to reports, one of the reasons why Manila dropped Gaco is because they feared that the latter might face issues in terms of schedule — the former San Mig Coffee Mixer is also suiting up for Go For Gold in the PBA D-League.
But Gaco, who played for the Scratchers on Monday afternoon in the opening of the 2018 Foundation Cup and helped the team win 88-75 by producing nine points and eight rebounds in over 16 minutes, is not buying that reason.
“‘Di naman conflict sa schedule eh. Magkaiba yung game ng MPBL at iba ang game dito. Nakita ko yung schedule ng games, ‘di talaga tatamaan kahit sa practice. Sa Manila, alas-singko. Dito sa Go for Gold, alas-diyes,” he said.
“Kaya yung sinasabi nila na conflict sa schedule, parang mali naman yun.”
Moving on is a process, as they say, and for Gaco, the process of healing has begun. He won’t be stuck vacated anymore, as the 37-year-old was signed by the Jerry Codiñera-coached Imus Bandera, also of the MPBL.
“‘Yun nga, nung Saturday, tumawag si coach Jerry Codinera. Ang bilis namin nagusap, nagkasundo agad kami,” said Gaco, a product of the De La Salle Green Archers program. “Kaninang umaga nagpunta ako sa practice nila.
“Nag-usap din kami ni coach Jerry, wala namang problema sa kanya kasi ang D-League, tatlong buwan lang. Doon naman ten to eleven months ang games. sa isang buwan, two games lang maglalaro sa MPBL,” he furthered.
“‘Di talaga conflict at okay sa kanya.”
