All the attention may be on 2018’s top pick CJ Perez, but JP Calvo has also been impressive as of late.
After scoring just three in the Columbian Dyip’s 124-118 win over San Miguel Beermen last January 18, Calvo made up for it five nights later by dropping 18 points, though they lost to the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters, 98-108.
The loss doesn’t affect Calvo, though. On Friday night, he continued his stellar play, producing 12 points – eight in the final frame alone – to help his Dyip bounce back and end the NorthPort Batang Pier’s streak, 110-100.
Safe to say, the diminutive point guard out of Letran has been finding his niche with Columbian.
“First game for me kasi parang na-pressure ako, ‘di pa ako naka-adjust eh. So last game namin medyo naka-adjust na ako. Nakuha ko na kumpiyansa ko at least,” said Calvo, a one-time NCAA champion.
“Sana tuloy-tuloy na hanggang sa matapos.”
He may still be in Perez’ shadow despite his good showings, but Calvo doesn’t mind since it keeps pressure away from him.
“Mas maganda nga para sa akin yun kasi hindi pressure sa akin,” he said. “Kailangan ko lang na maglaro nang maglaro, ‘di ko kailangan magpakita talaga. At least yung ginagawa ko nasa system ni coach, go with the flow lang.
“At least effective ako sa kanya.”
Being undersized in today’s PBA is definitely a challenge for Calvo, especially in terms of defending. Friday night saw him go head-to-head with NorthPort’s main man Stanley Pringle, who’s a lot bigger than him at 6-foot-1.
But the 5-foot-7 guard sees it as a challenge.
“Siyempre para sa akin na rookie, challenge yung pinapabantay sa akin ni coach yung mga star player. So ayun, tine-take ko lang as a challenge na kailangan ko pa mag-work para abutin ko kung ano sila ngayon.”
