Gatorade fueling the best athletes through the PBA Draft Combine
PRIDING itself in “fueling the best athletes in the world,” Gatorade has continued to live up to that mission in the country through activities like the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Draft Combine.
Held for the fourth straight year, the combine gathers all aspiring PBA rookies in one area to showcase what they are capable of in front PBA coaches and scouts to earn consideration to be drafted and play in Asia’s first play-for-pay league.
This year’s edition of the PBA draft combine happened early this week at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong City and had 44 aspirants participating.
There they pitted their skills in the various tests as well as showed their wares in a minitournament.
Former Ateneo King Eagle and Gilas Pilipinas cadet member Kiefer Ravena wound up on top of the class, winning most valuable player in the combine’s mini-tournament as well as topping three of the five physical tests that the aspirants had to go through, namely lane agility, maximum vertical leap and 3/4 court sprint.
Running for four years now, officials of Gatorade Philippines are very proud to be part of the draft combine as they see it as sustaining their program as a brand.
“Gatorade prides itself in fueling the world’s best athletes and in the Philippines we fuel the best athletes and this is in line with that,” said Tony Atayde, marketing manager of Gatorade, in an interview with BusinessWorld at the sidelines of the combine on its last day on Tuesday.
“This is our fourth year and we are very proud to be part of this. For us, it completes the journey of a player. Gatorade supports high school programs, college programs in the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) and NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), then the PBA and Gilas Pilipinas and we feel the draft is kind of the bridge between the amateur and the pros. We are proud to have fuel the journey of all basketball players,” Mr. Atayde added.
The Gatorade official said they really put much effort in the conduct of the draft combine in cooperation with various basketball stakeholders and they are happy with the reception they have been getting.
“Before Gatorade was part of the draft the combine was more of a calisthenics thing but we wanted the coaches to see what the players can really do from a physical standpoint, drills, scrimmages and all aspects in game situations. The coaches are loving it because they get to see not only the top players but all those who can be considered the diamond in the rough,” Mr. Atayde said.
SIGNIFICANT NOT LOST
And the significance of the draft combine is not lost to those participating in it, seeing it as a good opportunity for both players and PBA teams.
“The draft combine allows these young aspirants of the PBA to really showcase themselves to the PBA community of coaches. Some of these guys come from unheralded schools and this gives them the opportunity to shine or even outplay some of the more wellknown names. As a coach I like to see some of these unknown names,” said Kia Picanto coach Chris Gavina in a separate interview.
“For us it’s really filling the gap in our team so we are looking at the best possible talents in combines like these,” he added as he spoke of the kind of mind-set they have as a team.
“This is a once- in- a- lifetime opportunity. You only do this once in your life as a Filipino player and I think this is really big chance to prove that you belong in the PBA. You must work hard and stay healthy,” said Mr. Ravena, who is projected to go in the top three in the annual rookie draft happening on Sunday at the Robinsons Place Manila.
While he is deemed a shoo-in to be selected, Mr. Ravena said he still viewed the combine as something to be taken seriously.
“Being very competitive I still look at this as a chance to even better myself. They say I’m shoo-in in the draft but it’s not final until your name is called and made official. I’m blessed to be in this position to play with the best players in my age group and to learn more,” he said.
It is a sentiment shared by another aspirant, Thomas Torres, who admitted to having mixed emotions as he tried out for the different teams in the combine.
“It’s different to play with the best young players right now from various leagues in the country. You get to see where you are as a player. It’s really a mix of emotions for me. I’m excited and at same feeling some pressure. But that won’t stop me from playing my game and making a good impression and hopefully it pays off,” said Mr. Torres, who played collegiate ball at De La Salle University.
Aside from Messrs. Ravena and Torres, other PBA rookie aspirants are Felix Apreku, John Casino, Gab Dagangon, Jeremiah dela Peña, Ray Mar Jose, Dave Moralde, Rey Nambatac, Elmer Cabahug, Dave de Chavez, Lervin Flores, Christian Geronimo, Robert Herndon, Jett Manuel, Jason Perkins, Joseph Gabayni, Monbert Arong, Jebb Bulawan, Ebrahim Enguio, Joseph Nalos, Davon Potts and Mark Tallo.
Also part of the group are Arvie Bringas, Gwynne Capacio, Jayson Grimaldo, Maichael Juico, Sidney Onwubere, Jerome Ortega, Jomari Sollano, Christian Standhardinger, Wilson Baltazar, Jon Jon Gabriel, Emil Palma, Jhon Sumido, Louie Vigil, Gian Abrigo, Andreas Cahilig, John Grospe, Clyde Neypes, Zach Nicholls, Dan Sara and Jeron Teng.