Another projected first-rounder in the upcoming 2019 PBA Rookie Draft has withdrawn his name from the mix.
Joshua Munzon — whom many saw as a top three pick — has announced that he will postpone his pro league ambitions for this year.
“I will not be entering the draft this year,” said the 6-foot-4 swingman, who served his D-League residency with AMA during the 2019 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.
Instead, the 24-year-old Filipino-American currently wants to focus on lifting the country to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Back in December of last year, Munzon was one of the first players tapped by Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 to be part of its pro team pool. Since then, he has flourished, becoming the country’s top-ranked player in the sport, 110th in the world.
Moreover, being able to represent the Philippines in the world stage has been his family’s dream for him.
“At the end of last year, Chooks-to-Go went to me and gave me this opportunity to play a new sport which is 3×3. We committed to reaching that Olympic dream. Ever since then, I want to finish this commitment I made to them and our country,” said the California-born cager.
With his decision, Munzon will be staying in the 3×3 for the 2020.
Personally, his goal is to lift Pasig, the country’s top 3×3 team, to more appearances in the FIBA 3X3 World Tour circuit.
“I definitely want to be more successful in the international scene next year.
“That’s everybody’s goal heading into season two of Chooks 3×3. I think that is always more than you can get out of anything. Me being the top player in the country has a lot to do with my teammates. Hopefully, we could make more noise next year and have a very successful campaign in the World Tour,” he stressed.
Besides Munzon, Alvin Pasaol and Santi Santillan also chose to remain in Chooks 3×3 for 2020.
