Having been successful at several levels, Ron Dennison hopes that his winning mentality will be of great help once he sets foot in the PBA through the annual Rookie Draft, set this Sunday at Robinson’s Place Manila.
The 6-foot-1 guard-forward has struck gold almost everywhere he’s played – from the CESAFI Juniors with the UV Baby Lancers; to the UAAP with the FEU Tamaraws; and to the PBA D-League with the Go for Gold Scratchers.
And add to that the fact that Dennison got a taste of what it’s like playing in the international arena, as he was part of the iECO Green Warriors who saw action in the Asia League’s The Terrific 12 tournament last September in Macau.
“Hindi naging madali ang journey ko sa pagba-basketball.
“Pero dahil sa lahat ng challenges na nalagpasan ko, at sa mga na-experience ko mula pa nung highschool sa UV, college sa FEU, semi-pro sa D-League, at sa Asia League – masasabi ko na ready na ako sa PBA,” said Dennison.
But more than his forte of winning, Dennison also believes that his defense will separate him from the other 46 draft hopefuls, as it has been his bread-and-butter since his days wearing the green-and-gold.
“Siguro lamang ko sa mga kasamahan ko na nagpa-draft is yung hustle ko sa defense, at lalo na ang puso ko sa paglalaro,” said the 25-year-old, who earned a reputation as one of the best and toughest defenders in the UAAP.
“Kasi dun ako kilala maglaro at dun din ako naging kilala, sa defense ko.”
This year’s class is loaded with guards, with the likes of NCAA stars CJ Perez and Robert Bolick, as well as Alab Pilipinas’ Ray Parks, Jr. at the forefront. But for Dennison, he’s just hoping that his name will be called on Sunday.
“Siyempre I am hoping na may kukuha sa’kin na team, lahat naman kaming draftees ine-expect yun. Hoping din na sa early rounds ng pick makuha ako. Sa akin lang, kahit sino kukuha sakin, ibibigay ko talaga ang best ko,” he said.
“Excited ako na kinabahan pero positive lang talaga ako at tiwala kay God. Siya na bahala sa’kin ano man mangyari sa Sunday.”
