He may had been one of the best power forwards in the NCAA during his time with the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags, but Michael Calisaan is fully aware that he’ll be coming into the PBA undersized for his position.
With a lanky 6-foot-4 frame, Calisaan will likely have a hard time going up against guys who are inches taller and are bulkier than him. The most ideal for him is to slide to the wing position, or even the two-spot.
It may be daunting for somebody who has played frontcourt for the majority of his career, but the cager from Pampanga assured that playing a different position when needed won’t be a problem.
And it’s all thanks to former Stags head coach Egay Macaraya, his mentor for three seasons in the Grand Old League.
“Pinapraktis naman ako ni Coach Egay eh. Ginagawa niya lahat. Alam naman niya mangyayari,” said Calisaan. “Sa PBA, ‘di talaga ako puwedeng maging kwatro. Nung season pa lang ng NCAA, pinapraktis na niya talaga ako.
“Kumuha siya ng trainer. Tinutulungan talaga ako ng San Sebastian para makamit yung pangarap ko,” added the 23-year-old. “Kaya ko naman [maging guard] eh.
“Kaso no choice lang nga kami kasi wala kaming import.”
But aside from getting used to playing new positions, Calisaan – who averaged 14.6 points and 9.3 rebounds in his final year – also noted the need to work on his defense and, of course, to adjust to the league’s physical style of play.
“Kailangan marunong talagang dumepensa. Sa PBA maraming marunong umopensa eh, so defense,” said Calisaan, a part of the Che’lu Bar Revellers team that finished second in the 2018 D-League Aspirants’ Cup.
“At sa PBA, iba kasi [ang pisikalan] dun pero kung mag-aadjust ako siguro konti na lang. Sa NCAA pisikal din yung laro, ‘di rin basta-basta eh. Pero siguro konting adjustment pa,” added the cousin of Ian Sangalang.
The Rookie Draft – which will take place at Robinson’s Midtown in Ermita, Manila – is now just a couple of days away. And for Calisaan, he’s just lifting everything to the heavens. “Kinakabahan din ako. ‘Di ko pa alam kung saan ako mapupunta.
“Dasal-dasal na lang.”
