Germy Mahinay is out to prove that he’s a changed man as the controversial bruiser tries his luck in the upcoming PBA Season 49 Rookie Draft.
The 26-year-old native of Sison, Pangasinan no longer wants to be defined by the ‘deplorable act’ he committed that ultimately led to his indefinite suspension from the MPBL last April, as he now looks to turn one of his biggest dreams into reality.
“Gagawin ko po ‘yung best ko para baguhin ‘yung sarili ko, para magbago, tumino sa loob ng court,” he told reporters during the first day of the Season 49 Draft Combine at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Wednesday.
Mahinay has created some buzz online once again after throwing his name in this year’s draft, months after being suspended by the MPBL for undercutting Joey Barcuma during his Negros’ meeting against Zamboanga.
He was made to pay a P100,000 fine as well for what he did, which became viral on social media and drew a lot of flak among fans and netizens alike.
The former UST and NU banger acknowledges that it won’t just be forgotten easily, but said that he regrets the unsportsmanlike conduct.
“Actually, sobrang frustrated ako that time. Oo, nagkamali ako. Pinagsisisihan ko naman ‘yun,” he said. “Alam ko na tao rin lang ako, nagkakamali rin.
“Pero sa lahat ng ano, ‘yun ‘yung pinaka-unang nangyari sa akin. Sa mga taong galit sa akin, sa mga fans ng basketball sa Pilipinas, sa mga player, coaches, humihingi po ako ng pasensya sa nangyari,” he added apologetically.
“Actually mabait naman po akong tao. Madali po akong lapitan. ‘Yun lang po, talagang nagkamali ako,” continued the 6-foot-5 Mahinay.
“Pangako po na hinding-hindi ko na uulitin ‘yung ginawa ko sa MPBL.”
His focus now is solely on the Draft, where he is among the 70 aspirants hoping to get their names called in the selection proceedings set July 14 in Glorietta.
The Pangasinan-native is doing what he can to stay as locked in as he can, given that he hasn’t played competitive ball since the suspension – all while dealing with problems back home concerning his ailing mother.
“Short preparation lang ako kasi unang-una, ‘yung nanay ko pinapunta namin sa ospital, hindi pa ma-find kung ano ‘yung sakit niya,” he said. “Siguro halos one week or two weeks lang ako nag-prepare para sa sarili ko.”
But whatever happens to his bid of making it to the league, Mahinay is already full of gratitude just to have a shot at his childhood dream.
“Kung ano ‘yung problema ko sa labas, itinabi ko muna. And then nag-focus muna ako sa event na ‘to, hanggang bukas,” he said.
“Kung anuman po ‘yung maging resulta, nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon sa pagbibigay sa akin ng opportunity.”
