Six years ago, Pamboy Raymundo, who was just in his rookie year, was a frequent visitor to the commissioners office. In his very first PBA game, he was slapped with a technical foul — living up to his bad boy image during his days with the San Sebastian Golden Stags.
But fast forward to 2017, Raymundo, who is now sporting a goatee, has matured. And his growth is the main reason why coach Boyet Fernandez has tapped him as one of the veterans to mentor the San Beda-filled Cignal HD Hawkeyes.
Thursday evening, though, Raymundo showed that he can still keep pace with the young ones, leading his team with 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists en route to an 88-65 win over the Tanduay Rhum Masters, to advance to the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Finals.
And the ex-pro, who had last played for the NLEX Road Warriors last year also under Fernandez, is nothing but elated to have helped bring Fernandez to his eighth D-League Final.
“Siyempre sobrang saya, kasi we’re down 0-1 tapos nanalo,” said Raymundo, who averaged 12.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 steals back in the elimination rounds.
“Sobrang ganda ng adjustment ni coach Boyet sa laban na ‘to,” the 27-year-old enthused, giving credit to his long-time mentor.
Looking at the game itself, the HD Hawkeyes had actually started flat in the opening frame, before going all out in the succeeding quarters. And in that fiery stretch, which even saw them lead by as much as 30 points, it was Raymundo who pushed them raise their game higher — the very reason why he was tapped to be part of this team.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, ‘pag ganun yung laro namin nung first quarter, hindi kami mananalo,” said Raymundo, a 12th round pick by the Talk N Text Tropang Texters in the 2011 PBA Draft.
“Kasi mas aggressive sila, mas gusto nila manalo. Sabi ko lang sa kanila dagdagan natin yung effort at energy natin para manalo sa game na ‘to.”
As Cignal-San Beda heads to the title bout in their maiden campaign, Raymundo and the Hawkeyes are bracing for a tough battle versus Racal in another best-of-three series.
“Siyempre mahihirapan din kami doon, kasi star-studded din yung mga guards nila, si kailangan namin mag-ready ng sobra sa mga guards nila,” said Raymundo.
“Basta ngayon magpapahinga muna kami,” he quipped with a sheepish, boyish smile.
