Raymar Jose will definitely be under good guidance as he embarks on a journey in the pro ranks
Having been drafted as the third overall pick in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft by the Blackwater Elite, the reigning PBA D-League Foundation Cup Most Valuable Player could not help being excited to play once again with a brother-in-arms, Mac Belo.
“Masaya ako na magiging kakampi ko siya ulit, kasi [noong] college apat na taon kami magkakasama,” reflected Jose of their time together in Morayta, “Tapos ngayon nagkita na naman sa PBA. Sana maganda yung samahan namin; yung bonding namin, maulit namin.
“Pasalamat din ako na nandiyan si Kuya Mac kasi maga-guide niya ako sa pagpasok ko sa team.”
Belo, on the other hand, feels the same towards Jose.
“Masaya na nagkasama ulit kami ni Raymar. FEU days pa lang, talagang malalim na ang pinagsamahan namin kaya alam kong malaki ang maitutulong nya sa amin,” said the 2016 Gilas Draftee.
“Malaking tulong talaga siya.
“Sobrang excited ako makalaro ulit si Raymar,” Belo added.
“Pagka-graduate ko, ang laki ng inimprove nya. Nadala niya ang FEU sa Final Four, naglaro siya sa ABL. Napakalaki na ng inimprove niya, kaya alam kong malaki ang maitutulong niya.”
Back in 2015, the two formed a strong Far Eastern University Tamaraws quintet that went all the way to win the UAAP Men’s Basketball Championship. Moreover, the string of championships continued during that calendar year, as they were part of the Phoenix Fuel Masters’ golden double campaign in the PBA D-League.
But more than the reunion — and of course, being the third overall pick in the Draft — the Negrense cager is on cloud nine as he has finally fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a professional player.
“Sobrang happy ako na yung pangarap ko [natupad at] nandito na ‘ko sa PBA,” shared the 24-year-old workhorse, “Nagpapasalamat ako sa Blackwater na nagtiwala sila na ako yung napili nila.
“Bibigay ko talaga yung best ko.”
The Elite, with a handful of tweaks this past season, have become one of the teams to watch out for, all thanks to a solid frontline led by JP Erram. Asked what he can bring to the table, Jose assured that his grit-and-grind style will be his bread-and-butter.
“Rebounds, depensa, at tsaka aggressiveness. Yung energy at hustle din,” said the six-foot-five Jose.
“[Sana] makapaglaro ako ng maayos at maka-contribute ako sa team. And sana makaabot kami sa gusto naming goal.”
