In the recently-concluded 2016 PBA D-League Draft, Tanduay Rhum Masters head coach Lawrence Chongson is upbeat with the crop of rookies his team was able to harvest.
The 2016 Foundation Cup runners-up had lofty picks as they snagged the services of Letran Knight Jom Sollano and Fil-Am floor general Jason Brickman.
The former UE Red Warriors head coach has nothing but praises for his newly-picked wards, especially for the six-foot-four Sollano.
“Si Sollano is a high IQ big sa Letran. He’s feisty, may championship experience, so he’s good pick for number two,” said Chongson to the press moments after the draft at the PBA Cafe in Pasig.
And with regards to Brickman, a former Philippines-Mighty Sports stalwart, Chongson admitted that he felt strange as they were able to draft him in the fourth round.
“Hindi nagulat, kasi maraming [sigurong] natakot sa papeles niyan. Pero nagulat din kasi wala man lang sumugal.
“I picked him at number four so harmless naman,” he addressed.
Aside from their new acquisitions, the Rhum Masters will also parade new players in Mark Cruz and Raffy Reyes, who are expected to fill in much-needed gaps left by Gelo Alolino, Reden Celda, Kevin Ferrer, and Fonzo Gotladera as they are all in the pro league.
“Actually medyo nag-revamp ako eh. Yung team ko last season, umabot sa Finals [kaso] kinapos. Palagay ko noon hanggang dun na lang yun, so bumalasa ako ng konti [ngayon],” Chongson explained regarding the tweaks his team made.
As the country’s premier amateur league comes close and raises its’ curtains on January 20 next year, the Rhum Masters, according to Chongson, still is in a 50-50 situation when it comes to ending their five-year title drought.
“50-50 ulit. Mataas ang kumpiyansa kasi maraming bagong teams. Except for Cafe France wala na yung mga malalakas diba,” pointed out Chongson.
“Other 50, five years na kaming di nagchachampion so what would make me more optimistic diba? Basta trabaho lang, enjoyin ko lang ‘to.
“Kung binigay ng Panginoon e di salamat diba. Kung hindi, part of growing up yan,” he stated.
