SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines — Two days into living the dream, some PBA rookies have already gotten a taste of the real world.
In the middle of a rebuilding process, GlobalPort Batang Pier decided to trade Isaac Holstein, their 7th overall pick, to the San Mig Coffee Mixers on Tuesday, November 5. In exchange, GlobalPort got Justin Chua, the Mixers’ 10th overall pick, along with veteran forward Leo Najorda.
The development proved to be a wake-up call for the two rookie centers who had both been visibly ecstatic about being drafted and were looking forward to getting started with their initial respective teams.
“I kind of went blank (going up the stage) because I was so shocked. But I’m happy now,” Holstein said right after the draft last Sunday, November 3.
Chua, on the other hand, looked like he would be learning from some of the best slotmen in the league with San Mig Coffee. But after hearing news of the trade, he admitted feeling sad about it.
“I’m really sad,” Chua said in a text message to Rappler. “I was looking forward na to playing for SMC (San Mig Coffee).” (I was already looking forward to playing for SMC.)
But the common reality of the professional league is that players will get traded to different teams spanning their entire career—a fact that Chua had to deal with two days into the pro league.
“Pero wala naman akong magagawa. I guess that’s business,” he said, acknowledging that this is all part of his career now. (But I can’t do anything about it. I guess that’s business.)
Stop wallowing
A reserve center for the Ateneo Blue Eagles during their 5-peat era, Chua flourished after graduation playing in the PBA D-League for Blackwater Sports. He eventually helped lead the franchise to its first title this year. (READ: Life after a dynasty: 5-peat Eagles shoot for PBA dreams)
So instead of wallowing in something he has no control over, the promising 6’5” player is choosing to look at the bright side. “I’ll just think positive na lang and do work for GlobalPort, para matulungan ko sila.” (I’ll just think positive and do work for GlobalPort so I can help them.)
He also added: “I guess I’ll just play my game (and) try to gel with the team. That’s a PBA team still. And for sure they’ll have a good coaching staff, so I’ll work with them.”
Filipino-American Holstein is also taking things as lightly as possible and is, in fact, welcoming the trade.
“It feels like a win for everyone really,” Holstein also said in a text message that he cascaded through his agent, Matt Manotoc.
Holstein clearly has a full grasp of what he can and cannot do as of the moment as he acknowledged that he needs more time to develop his game, especially after he had been away from basketball for a few years.
“(I am) really appreciative that GlobalPort saw the potential in me and (had) enough faith to take me at 7. But Justin (Chua) is a more polished player right now than I am,” he explained.
“They (GlobalPort) needed someone that could come in and contribute right now. While I need possibly a conference to adjust, having been out of the game so long.”
Standing at 6’9”, Holstein played college basketball for West Virginia State University who retired early from the game to pursue a different path. But opportunity came knocking when he was offered the chance to play in the D-League. He had stints with Big Chill and Blackwater Sports, and emerged as one of the league’s leading shot blockers.
Playing for different teams and getting traded are all part of the business aspect of a professional sports league. It happens to both rookies and veterans.
In Chua’s own accurate words: “Welcome to the real world.” — Rappler.com
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- Surprise picks, trades take PBA Draft spotlight
- Slaughter leads 44 hopefuls in PBA draft
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