Everything was uncertain for Jorey Napoles when he decided to try his luck in the pros by applying for the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft. For the 23-year-old, he wasn’t sure how an unheralded player in a sea of known talents would be noticed.
“‘Di [ako] kilala [at kung] saang galing school. Walang exposure. Walang sponsor.
“Ngayon kung ano mang mangyari, ma-draft lang masaya na ako,” said Napoles, a product of the TIP Engineers basketball program.
But now, all those uncertainties have been washed away.
The lanky yet athletic 6-foot-4 forward was one of the many surprises that rocked the draft proceedings at the Robinson’s Place Manila on Sunday afternoon, as he was the 12th overall pick of the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
And for Napoles, he never expected that he’ll get picked this high.
‘”Di ko talaga akalain eh,” said Napoles, clad in his Phoenix draft jacket and cap. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos, sa mga nagtiwala sa akin. Coaches ko, mga family ko, mga teammates ko. Hindi ko akalain na aabot ako sa ganito.”
But what makes it sweeter for Napoles is the fact that he has made history, as he’s the first player from TIP to make it into the PBA. And for him, he couldn’t be grateful enough to all who have helped him along the way.
Especially to TIP coach Potit De Vera.
“Sa coach ko, kay coach Potit, may tiwala talaga.
“Ang sinasabi niya, kahit di ka galing sa UAAP, sa NCAA, doblehin mo lang yung trabaho para mapansin ng coaches. Nagbunga. Kaya nagpapa-salamat ako kay coach Potit,” he said.
Napoles is a great example for other aspiring players to emulate. So his message is simple: just keep going.
“Pangarap nila, ituloy lang nila. Manalig sila sa taas. Kumbaga, go lang ng go para sa pangarap. ‘Wag sila susuko, wag sila mado-down. Kaya kung dumating man ang struggle sa buhay nila, go pa rin ng go sila,” said Napoles.
“Yun yung naramdaman ko dati. Feeling ko wala na akong chance dati sa basketball kasi di ka UAAP, NCAA. Sabi ko, ‘di yan, mindset lang yan. Gagawin ko lang kung ano best ko.”
