Maurice Shaw had already planned to join the PBA nearly half a decade ago, but that didn’t pan out.
But it’s better late than never, as they say. And the 35-year-old center simply feels happy he finally realized his dreams when Blackwater took him with the second pick in the 2019 regular draft.
“This goes back almost five years. But the timing was off. But if I didn’t do it younger, I’m just glad I got to do it while I was older,” said Shaw, who signed a rookie max deal last December.
Shaw may be coming in as a rookie in Asia’s first play-for-pay league, but he’s already a well-traveled cager. The former Harlem Globetrotter had played in Portugal and in the United States.
Shaw also played in Thailand, where he became known in the Southeast Asian region through his stints with Dunkin’ Raptors, Kabayan Pilipinas Basketball Club, and Power Electricity Authority.
For the Filipino-American bruiser, his experience will definitely help him now that he’s with the Elite.
“I think it’s gonna help out a lot because there (Thailand), they had Asian imports and two American imports.
“In some cases I was getting double-teamed and I was getting lots of pressure, but I still succeeded and did well. Hopefully, that experience will carry over and do well for my team,” he said.
All eyes are on the 6-foot-9 center to see how he will help Blackwater, which has missed the presence of a legit big man since it traded Poy Erram to NLEX Road Warriors back in 2018.
Many also anticipate how will he fare, especially in the Philippine Cup, a conference which San Miguel Beer has dominated with reigning five-time MVP June Mar Fajardo.
Shaw is aware of the expectations on him, but he doesn’t let it get in his head that much.
“I definitely know there’s pressure out there, but I tell myself to relax and just let the whole game come to me. Let the experience come to me and enjoy,” said Shaw, who once tried his luck in the NFL.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself for it might take myself out my element, so I just wanna enjoy.”
