PBA-bound Almazan ready for big jump

MANILA, Philippines – Raymond Almazan of the Letran Knights is raring to show off his wares in Asia’s first play-for-pay basketball league as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) holds its yearly draft on Sunday, November 3, at Robinson’s Place in Ermita

The 6’7” defensive ace looms as one of the top 3 picks along with 7-foot Greg Slaughter and former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) MVP Ian Sangalang. (READ: PBA Draft Preview: The Big 3)

Almazan is shaping up to a pick by Rain or Shine Elasto Painters as coach Yeng Guiao said his team needs a center.

“Siyempre thankful ako kasi gusto ako nila coach Yeng. ‘Di na ako mahihirapang mag-adjust kasi dahil sa sistema ni coach Caloy, parang ganun din ang sistema ni coach Yeng,” Almazan said.  (Of course I’m thankful because coach Yeng likes me. I won’t have a hard time adjusting since coach Caloy’s system is quite similar to coach Yeng’s.)

Dream, ‘Idol Kerby’

Almazan’s life-long dream is to play in the PBA. He grew up idolizing his cousin and fellow Letranite, Meralco Bolts pivotman Kerby Raymundo. (READ: Meralco gets Raymundo from Ginebra)

“Ultimate dream ko talaga makapag-PBA. High school pa lang kasi ako tinitingala ko na ang mga PBA players, lalo na si Kuya Kerby, idol ko talaga yun,” shared the 23-year-old Almazan who was born and raised in Bataan. (My ultimate dream is to play in the PBA. Since high school, I was already looking up to PBA players, especially on Kuya Kerby, he is really my idol.)

Letting game do the talking

Slaughter is expected to be the top pick followed by Sangalang. This would mean Ginebra will pick Slaughter and San Mig Coffee, Sangalang. (READ: Slaughter towers in PBA Rookie Camp)

Almazan was known as a defensive center but has developed an offensive game.

“’Yun nga, naririnig ko nga ‘yung usap-usapan na ‘yon pero dedma lang ako,” stressed the reed-thin Almazan. “Hinihintay ko na lang na dumating ‘yung draft kasi ‘yung tina-trabaho ko ngayon magbubunga naman siguro.” (I’m well aware of those talks but I don’t mind them. I’m just waiting for the draft day because I believe that whatever I’m doing will pay off.)

One for Letran

But before Almazan gets his chance to bang bodies with the big boys in the PBA, he is looking to end his stint in Letran with an NCAA title—the Knights’ 17^th.

“Pangarap naman ng lahat ng players yun (win a championship),” added Almazan. (It is every player’s dream.)

Almazan is having a stellar season for the Knights as he is the leading MVP candidate and his team is on top of the standings. But he remains cautious about Letran’s chances to end its 8-year title drought.

“Mas dinadagdagan pa namin yung effort namin,” said Almazan. “Bilog ang bola at ‘di kami pwedeng mag-relax kahit twice-to-beat kami.” (We are exerting effort. It’s still everybody’s ball game so we should not relax although we have a twice-to-beat advantage.)

This year’s 85-deep PBA draft class is considered as one of the deepest in years as it includes the likes of UAAP championship member Nico Salva of Ateneo, UST’s Jeric Teng, FEU’s RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo, Justine Chua, LA Revilla, James Forrester, Alex Nuyles, Jeric Fortuna, Carlo Lastimosa, Ryan Buenafe, JR Cawaling, Isaac Holstein and Justin Melton. – Rappler.com