When a few mediamen were about to interview little-known Christian Geronimo, consensus top two pick Kiefer Ravena threw his arms around him. “Okay ‘to,” the Phenom said.
“Na-starstruck ako sa mga kasama ko kasi pinapanood ko lang sila dati sa TV,” Geronimo, who hails from Pasay City, gushed.
It was that kind of day for the 29-year-old.
Every year, the list of PBA hopefuls has always featured an unknown or two that will scratch your head and have you googling who this player is. Last year, Charley “Kobe” Caluya, then-43 years old, joined the rookie combine. This year, there’s Jeremiah Dela Pena and Geronimo.
Unlike Caluya, Geronimo looked fit, packed with a developed tone for his 5-foot-10 frame. Moreover, Geronimo is fueled by a dream.
Just over a year ago, Geronimo was working as a sales agent with Mazda while continuing to play in barangay leagues during his free time. But a talk with his college coach in Polytechnic University of the Philippines pushed him to a gamble of a lifetime.
“Sabi ng coach ko sa PUP, ’29 ka na, try mo magpa-draft.’ Sabi ko, ‘Kinakabahan ako coach pero sige, go lang.’
“Basketball lang ako ng basketball after nun. Nagpapa-kondisyon lang ako para sa Draft,” added Geronimo, who was five years away from his last organized basketball game in PUP.
Luckily for Geronimo, who has no D-League experience, he was part of a team that featured Ravena, Robbie Herndon, Jason Perkins, and Lervin Flores. And Ravena made sure that Geronimo won’t feel out of place in the group, making sure that Geronimo was part of every huddle.
“Napakabait, talagang isa siyang leader,” said Geronimo about Ravena.
“Medyo nangangapa pa kasi ako. Talagang kinakabahan ako kanina pero at least nakasabay ako sa kanila,” he furthered.
Being part of the 2017 Draft Class is not a sure thing for Geronimo as the league will still have to filter out the 45 names that made the Combine. But for this dreamer, he will have no regrets with whatever comes out of the risk he took.
“Gusto kong i-prove talaga na kaya kong maglaro sa PBA,” he proudly declared.
“Hinahabol ko lang ang pangarap ko at makapagbigay ng inspirasyon sa mga nangangarap maglaro sa PBA.”
Carpe diem.
