Before Egay Macaraya took over the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags three years ago, Michael Calisaan was already a force to be reckoned with. Standing at 6-foot-4, Calisaan was a bruiser who did the dirty work for the Stags.
Macaraya then made sure to refine him and give him finesse. Moreover, Macaraya – who brought Calisaan to the D-League multiple times – developed his skills to help him play both forward positions in the pros.
“Well yun yung maganda kay Michael, walang limit sa pag-asenso.
“Before, he was focused on playing four or five nung juniors pa siya, hanggang naging college siya. But yung laro niya ngayon, he can really play three na,” Macaraya shared.
Though their season ended disappointingly, with various off-court issues, at least the Golden Stags were able to give Calisaan a proper send off last October 23 after picking up a 91-63 victory over the Arellano Chiefs.
And it was fitting, as Calisaan has given his blood, sweat, and tears to San Sebastian for the last eight years.
“Yun nga po, masaya ako kasi nanalo kami, pero may kasamang lungkot po. Yun na yun eh, yun na po yung last ko. Ilang taon din ako sa Baste,” confessed Calisaan, who posted norms of 14.6 points and 9.3 rebounds this season.
“Well, surely we will miss Michael.
“Yung leadership niya and as always yung hard work niya, mami-miss ng team. And palagi ko naman sinasabi na siya yung type ng player na gusto ng coach eh,” added Macaraya.
Calisaan will be a hot commodity entering this year’s PBA Draft. And he is immensely grateful to Macaraya for turning him into a more well-rounded player and individual.
“Unang-una, po attitude. Pangalawa, po about yung about sa basketball, yung mga skills ko po. Actually kaya ko naman maglaro ng three kaso no choice lang kami walang import, kulang kami sa players kaya yun,” he shared.
“Yun yung nabibigay ko na laro, yun yung matutulong ko sa team.”
