Valandre Chauca turned heads in his first year in the Philippine basketball scene.
From leading the Enderun Titans to the NAASCU Finals to making waves in the PBA D-League, the 5-foot-10 floor general certainly raised his stock for the upcoming 2019 PBA Rookie Draft.
But before the December festivities, the topflight teams in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League have expressed interest in signing the Filipino-American standout. And this includes the top three teams in the league, namely the Go for Gold-San Juan Knights, the Davao Occidental Tigers, and the Frontrow-Manila Stars.
“Tremendously humbled and grateful. To even have options is only by God’s grace, I am just so thankful,” said Chauca, who also received interest from the Bataan Risers, the Bulacan Kuyas, and the Batangas-Tanduay Athletics.
And who wouldn’t want Chauca on their team?
The Titan averaged 24.14 points on 44-percent shooting from distance, 5.28 assists, and 4.57 rebounds during his maiden D-League campaign.
Not bad for someone who almost quit the game a year ago.
“The years I’ve put into this game is starting to pay off, there is no substitute for consistent, cerebral work ethic,” he continued.
However, Chauca had to decline the offers as the 24-year-old weighs what is next for him before he enters the big league.
Still, he is just grateful for the opportunity to play the sport he loves in his motherland.
“For the offers to come from the top MPBL teams gives me the confidence to believe I am the best guard in the upcoming PBA draft.”
