When the 24-man pool for the Gilas Pilipinas 5.0 roster rolled out a week ago, one unusual name in the point guard position popped up.
From the usual names such as Jiovani Jalalon, Mike Tolomia, and Almond Vosotros, a peculiar commodity is suddenly thrown into the mix.
Mon Alvin Abundo. 5’8”. Point Guard. Centro Escolar University. Cafe France Bakers.
He can be considered by some as an unknown quantity. But for those who have been familiar with the amateur basketball scene the past three or four years will know that the diminutive point guard from CEU deserves to be in that spot. Now here he is, working out with Gilas Pilipinas as part of the main pool that will prepare and represent the country as a new international basketball calendar looms around and will be implemented in 2017.
And for the Parañaque-born guard, his inclusion to the national team is a surprise and a dream come true at the same time.
“Siyempre unexpected,” said the 23-year-old, moments after Gilas’ practice session this Wednesday night at the Meralco Gym. “Sa dami ba naman ng players sa Pilipinas. Alam ko naman na mas maraming mas magaling sa akin.”
“At siyempre sobrang masaya. Kasi ayun naman ang pangarap ng mga players dito eh, yung ma-represent yung country.”
Abundo’s addition to the Gilas 5.0 pool brings a lot of honor not only to his name but also to the school that honed him, Centro Escolar University, whose basketball program is now known by many, thanks to their numerous championships in NAASCU and their participation in the PBA D-League as the Cafe France Bakers.
“Dala ko rin yung pangalan ng CEU. At gusto ko [ipakita na ang] CEU kaya magproduce ng mga players na may ibubuga,” the CEU Scorpion proudly shared, who has been heavily influenced by his father in playing basketball.
As aforementioned, Abundo’s position is heavily stacked, with the likes of Tolomia, Jalalon, and Vosotros all vying for a spot in the roster that will compete in the 2016 FIBA Asia Challenge Cup this September in Tehran, Iran, which will be Gilas 5.0’s baptism in the world stage.
And for the upstart floor general, playing with the best amateur point guards toe-to-toe is a huge challenge for him that helps him play even better.
“Siyempre challenging. Kasi sila yung mga best sa collegiate ranks at sa amateur,” he shared. “Pero hard work pa rin eh, babagsak pa rin yan sa hard work. Nakaka-challenge and at the same time privilege din ‘yung experience na makalaro sila.”
“Sabi nga ni coach Josh [Reyes], ayan na yung isa sa pinakamagandang mangyayari sa player, yung makalaro mo yung the best of the best,” said Abundo, who transferred from Philippine Women’s University to CEU in 2011.
Now that he’s among the players fighting for one of the 12 slots for the upcoming FIBA tourney, all that Abundo wants to show is that he is more than willing to give all that he can for the betterment of the team.
“Kung may extra work pang gagawin, kung may weaknesses pang kailangang i-improve, yun. Kung may hihingin sa akin, yun ang ide-deliver ko. And hopefully makapag-deliver din talaga, by God’s grace.”
