Jun Roque admitted he was nervous as he walked down from the parking space and headed into the Music Corridor of the SM Mall of Asia.
In any case, he had submitted his identify for the PBA Rookie Draft regardless of being out of the NCAA for a whole season as a result of his fulfilling residency necessities for Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
Because it turned out, he was about to obtain one of many largest surprises, maybe, of his younger profession.
“‘Di naman ako masyadong nag-expect na ma-pick ako agad,” Roque stated on Sunday. “God’s will talaga, kaya ‘ayun.”
[I didn’t really expect that I would be picked right away. It’s really God’s will.]
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For NCAA followers, Roque’s identify could be acquainted as he was as soon as one of many rising stars of the College of Perpetual Assist System DALTA.
Again in Season 99, Roque averaged 12.94 factors, 7.5 rebounds, 2.06 assists, and 1.44 steals per sport. With these numbers, he ranked among the many league’s leaders in rebounds and steals.
Nonetheless, being out of collegiate competitors for a 12 months after his switch may have harm his draft inventory.
Rain or Shine, although, positioned its belief in him with a attainable roster spot as soon as the NCAA season ends this 12 months.
“Sobrang saya, kasi ‘yun nga dahil kahit nag-residency ako, nakuha ko pa rin ‘yung tiwala nila,” he stated. “Kahit na nag-struggle ako this offseason, nakuha ko pa rin ‘yung tiwala nila.”
[I’m so happy because even if I did residency, I was still able to gain their trust. Even if I struggled this offseason, I was still able to gain their trust.]
Nevertheless, the draft choice has solely added stress for Roque, who will return to the NCAA with the Knights this season for his ultimate 12 months. In Season 101, Roque desires to show that he’s worthy of being a first-round choose—and of incomes his professional contract.
“Truly, mayroon talaga [pressure], kumbaga kasi diyan sila magba-base eh, sa upcoming season na ito, kung bibigyan ba nila ng contract or not. This upcoming season talagang pagbubutihin ko.”
[Actually, there is pressure. This is where they will base it, this upcoming season, if they will be giving me a contract or not. This upcoming season, I will really try to do well.]
Apart from Roque, his fellow Letranites Mark Denver Omega, Deo Cuajao, and Kyle Tolentino have been additionally chosen by the Elasto Painters, together with Christian Manaytay, Josh David, Cole Micek, and MJ Dela Virgen.
—JMB, GMA Built-in Information
