Coach’s trust, family addition boost Wilson’s PBA career

MANILA, Philippines – After perhaps a disappointing first three seasons in the PBA, gunner John Wilson is slowly finding his place under the Meralco Bolts.

Drafted 7th overall in the 2010 PBA Draft by the Barangay Ginebra Kings, John Wilson has always been known to be a deadly scorer back in his college days with Jose Rizal University.

He was hailed as NCAA’s Most Valuable Player back in 2009 when he towed the Heavy Bombers to a Final Four stint. One of his highlights in that season was a 48-point explosion.

But Wilson’s early years in the PBA has been in a roller-coaster ride.

In Ginebra, he played 63 games but was often overshadowed by the team’s more established shooting guards like Mark Caguioa and Willie Miller. He normed just 3.75 points per game in 12.1 minutes of play before being dealt to Air21 for another forgettable season.

But under the Bolts, Wilson is finally making his mark in the PBA. He says head coach Ryan Gregorio has given him enough trust and he’s just re-paying his mentor with great games. (READ: Fastbreak: Wilson’s career game)

“Nagkaroon lang ako ng playing time at the same time binabalik ko lang ‘yung tiwala ni Coach Ryan (Gregorio),” Wilson told Rappler. (I just got playing time and at the same time, I’m just reciprocating Coach Ryan’s trust.)

Through 8 games, playing 23.5 minutes per match in a Meralco uniform, Wilson is averaging highs in points (13.5), rebounds (5.1), assists (1.4), and steals (1.4). He is also shooting close to 40% from three-point land – the best so far in his career.

He ranks second in scoring for Meralco, just behind scoring champion Gary David (15.6 PPG). A short conversation with Wilson and his coach prompted his sensational ride in his 4th season in the big league.

“Nung nalipat ako ng Meralco, kinausap ako ni Coach Ryan. Sabi ko rin sa kanya, bigay niya sa ‘kin to, susuklian ko” recalled Wilson. (When I arrived here at Meralco, Coach Ryan spoke to me. I told him to give me this opportunity to me I won’t let him down.)

He is not even concerned with scoring; he said he’s focused on defense and the offense just follows.

“Alam niyo naman ang laro ko noong college pero ngayon andun lang ako sa pagiging defensive. ‘Yung scoring dadating yan,” shared the one-time PBA All-Defensive Team member. (You know my role back in college but now I’m just focused on my defense. The offense will come.)

So far, he has scored in double digits for all but one game in the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup, highlighted by a 26-point explosion against Air21 where he scorched hot from downtown, shooting a perfect 6-of-6.

Inspired by a loving family

And it doesn’t end with added playing time and trust from the coaching staff. There’s one more thing boosting Wilson’s performance this season: a new addition to the Wilson family will come two months from now.

He told Rappler his wife is 7 months pregnant and they are expecting a baby boy. This and Wilson’s daughter inspires him to do more each game.

“Yung wife ko pregnant, 7 months and baby boy siya, at ‘yung panganay kong babae, sila ang inspirasyon ko para magpursige,” he said. (My wife’s pregnant; we’re expecting a baby boy. He and my daughter inspire me to do more.)

It took Wilson the right breaks before finally having a great stint in the PBA. It seems it won’t be long before he becomes one of the deadliest gunners in the league. – Rappler.com