JM Calma hopes to carry over his solid play for San Sebastian to the PBA should a team take a chance on him in the upcoming Season 47 Draft.
“‘Yung ginawa ko dun, hopefully ma-convert ko sa PBA,” said the 24-year-old during Wednesday’s Draft Combine at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.
“Gagawin ko ang makakaya ko ‘pag nakuha ako.”
The 6-foot-6 forward led the Golden Stags in the NCAA Season 97 with averages of 16.89 points and 10.3 rebounds in 32 minutes.
Unfortunately, they missed the playoffs for the second time in the last four seasons after finishing eighth with a 3-6 record.
It wasn’t the exit Calma had hoped for, but he has no regrets whatsoever and is only grateful for the years he spent donning the red and gold.
“Ginawa ko ang makakaya ko para sa eskwelahan ko, kasi ‘yun ang tumulong sa akin — ‘yun ang stepping stone ko kumbaga,” he said.
Now, Calma sets his sights on turning his PBA dreams into reality, a goal he’s trying to accomplish with the guidance of former Baste standouts.
Photo by PBA Images
“Palagi akong tinutulungan ng mga kuya ko — si RK [Ilagan], Allyn [Bulanadi, si Mike [Calisaan], tsaka si Capo (Alvin Capobres), binibigyan ako ng tips para makatulong sa akin,” he disclosed.
Calma surely has the attention of some teams given his body of work in his last NCAA stint, but he also brings with him the experiences he garnered playing elsewhere aside from the Grand Old League.
“Malaking tulong ‘yung ibang liga,” said the Tarlac-native, who also played in the D-League, MPBL, and FilBasket. “‘Yun ang ginawa kong stepping stone. experience din kasi ex-pro din nakakalaban ko so bangaan talaga.”
As to whichever ball club drafts him, Calma assured that he’ll do whatever he can to be of help, including the ‘dirty work’ on both ends.
“Mapapangako ko gagampanan ko ‘yung role ko, depensa, palitan ng mukha. Dirty work, diyan ako namulat nung college ako, imports binabantayan ko,” said the NCAA Season 97 Mythical Team candidate.
“Ready ako dun.”
