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| Columbian may have selected the steal of the draft in JP Calvo. Dennis Acosta |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--While Paul Desiderio being chosen way ahead in the first round of the Philippine Basketball Association Draft is already a mock draft buster in itself, an even bigger mock draft buster happened when Columbian made its other first rounder.
Ten picks after formally making CJ Perez the number one pick of the draft, the team further stunned everyone present at the Robinson's Place Manila atrium on Sunday night when it chose JP Calvo 11th overall.
Despite being the Most Valuable Player of the PBA Draft Combine, many still projected Calvo to be selected way after fellow Letran alumnus Bong Quinto with some mock drafts even seeing Calvo to be a second rounder.
But instead, the Dyip used the first round pick they acquired from the San Miguel Beermen in a 2016 trade on Calvo and Quinto slipped to the second round as the Meralco Bolts's 14th overall pick.
"Di ko nga na-expect eh, kasi ang expected natin, mauuna sa akin si Bong eh," Calvo told Dugout Philippines his reaction.
He added, "Di ko alam kung ano ang nararamdaman ko kanina eh. Talagang praise God lang kasi nakuha ako sa Columbian. At least, nakamit ko na ang pangarap ko."
However, he believed that his performance in the combine drastically raised his stock.
"Isa din yun sa purpose na kinuha nila ako," Calvo further said.
He then bared what Coach John Cardel and his staff are expected of him.
"Yung [pagiging] general sa court. Yun lang naman sinasabi nila sa akin--na kailangan nila yun. Gagawin ko yun para sa team," Calvo shared.
He also vowed, "Gagalingan ko lalo na sa depensa."
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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