Having the chance to play in the PBA D-League is already an achievement in itself. However, being in the country’s top semi-professional league does not always guarantee the kind of exposure that most players have always dreamed of.
Take Jerome Ortega for example.
The 25-year-old point guard was a part of the AMA Online Education Titans back in 2016. But due to the team’s heavy guard rotation that featured James Martinez, Rashawn McCarthy, and Ryan Arambulo, Ortega was buried deep in the roster.
That is why Ortega — who is well known in the streets of Caloocan — was among those unknown faces inside the Gatorade Hoops Center suiting up in the 2017 PBA Draft Combine. But having a short resume hasn’t stopped him from chasing his life-long dream of playing in the PBA.
And, safe to say, Ortega impressed in the two-day event.
“Other than the guys… I think Jerome Ortega really impressed me on his first game,” praised Kia head coach Chris Gavina of Ortega, a product of STI-Global in Taguig City.
“He went toe-to-toe with [Thomas] Torres earlier.”
Ortega turned heads during the Combine’s mini tournament. He may not have scored in bunches, but the way he carried himself on the court, playing like a true floor general, were enough to wow the scouts present.
But for Ortega, he simply fulfilled his role as someone running the point.
Jerome Ortega (far left) even outplayed Thomas Torres during the Draft Combine’s pocket tournament (Photo by PBA Images)
“I did my best lang,” said Ortega, who finished his studies in 2014 and dipped his hand into multi-level marketing to sustain himself but grew tired of it eventually.
“Ginawa ko yung part ko as a teammate and as a leader sa kanila.”
But just like in the D-League, being able to take part in the Combine does not guarantee that pro dreams will materialize. Ortega is fully aware of it, and he knows, too, that he is swimming a sea full of bountiful finds.
“Tinitignan ko nga sarili ko as underdog. Ang lakas nitong draft na ‘to… Kiefer Ravena na yan, Jeron Teng na yan. Wala ka ng choice eh, Jerome Ortega ka lang.
“Give your best, 110 percent. Kung sila binibigay nila 101, ako 110,” he furthered.
The 2017 Rookie Draft will take place on Sunday, October 25. Ortega, like most of his fellow aspirants, takes it with a come-what-may approach, that he is putting his fate to the Heavens above, whether or not he will get chosen by a team.
“Sa kanila (PBA teams) na lang siguro kung ano magiging desisyon, kung sino magkakaroon ng interest,” said Ortega, who had already sniffed the court with PBA players as he had the chance to work out with Kia.
“Whatever happens na lang, si Lord na bahala.”
