The eighth overall pick in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft Sidney Onwubere not only debut a new hairstyle Friday evening, but also played in his first official PBA game. After not being fielded during the TNT Katropa’s loss to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last December 22, the 23-year-old finally got his feet wet.
“Sobrang saya, first time kong makaapak sa official game ng PBA, panalo pa so talagang overwhelming,” said Onwubere after TNT’s 106-98 win over the Alaska Aces.
“Last game hindi ako nagamit, sabi ko parang may kulang. Naisip ko na baka kailangan ko pa sipagan sa practice kasi parang siguro, para sa akin, may kulang pa na hindi ko naipapakita sa mga coaches,” added the former EAC General, who finished with four points, nine rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
“Inisip ko na doblehin ko pa yung effort ko sa practice and then siguro pag dating sa game, tritriplehin ko pa para makuha yung minutes na gusto ko.”
Standing accross him during the game was one of the league’s more imposing figures in Calvin Abueva.
With 8:39 left on the game, Onwubere had just scored on a breakaway layup. Abueva though answered right back 17 seconds later with a bulldozing drive against the rookie, staring him down after the conversion. It was as if the present was looking at the future.
“Na-starstruck ako. Abueva yun e,” admitted the 6-foot-4 forward. “Pero siyempre magkaiba kami ng team, we play to win.
“Ako talagang gagawin ko best ko to defend him and kung nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon on offense, shoshootan ko siya.”
“Sidney showed what he can do, that he can contribute on both offense and defense,” TNT head coach Nash Racela remarked about his rookie.
Abueva finished the game with 16 markers but needed 18 attempts to do so. And it’s because of the guidance given to him by TNT’s veterans.
“Medyo nagiging kumportable naman ako. Tinuturan ako ng mga beterano, sila kuya Jayson [Castro], kuya Ryan [Reyes], si Tony [Semerad], sinasabi nila sakin mga dapat kong gawin especially against Calvin,” he furthered.
Now that game one of possibly a lot is over for Onwubere, he is looking to continue to adjusting to his new role as a small forward rather than a four guy. Challenged, he is embracing this new task so that he can continue to showcase his talents in the big league.
“When I started playing basketball, I was known as a defender. Yun siguro ang role ko sa team, yung defense. Siguro para sakin, kailangan ko pa mag-work talaga. Nung college I’m playing the four and now gusto ni coach Nash na maglaro ako ng three,” the All-NCAA Season 93 team member shared.
“Kailangan ko bumilis para maksasabay ako.”
