PBA Draft Focus: Lanete ready more than ever to join the pros
It took a while but former San Beda star Garvo Lanete will get to finally strut his stuff in the PBA.
Lanete, one of the best amateur players in the country for quite some time now, is convinced he’s more than prepared to make the jump to the professional ranks after spending most of his time after college honing his skills in the PBA D-League and getting invaluable experience suiting up for the national team.
“In my mind, I know I’m more ready this year than the previous years. It’s about how you’re feeling and having the guts to do it. If you feel you’re ready enough to play in the pros, then go,” the 26-year-old guard said.
Lanete is joining 63 other hopefuls in the 2015 Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft on Aug. 23
The younger brother of Barako Bull guard Chico Lanete is coming off an MCL injury that sidelined him the entire conference of the PBA D-League where his Hapee Fresh Fighters were stunned by the Cafe France Bakers in the Finals.
Lanete also feels better than ever and said he’s been working really hard to keep himself in shape even though he was forced to stay away from the game due to his injury.
“I made sure that my body and mind will be ready. Once I recovered, I did strength and conditioning and got right back to the basketball court to get back my timing,” he said. “I’ve been practicing with other teams and play pickup games a lot.”
Lanete is no stranger to winning. He won four championships as an integral part of the Red Lions, bagged six titles in the PBA D-League as part of the NLEX Road Warriors and Fresh Fighters and has two medals with Gilas Pilipinas.
He considers his stint in the D-League and international stage to be a big part of his growth as a player.
“My six championships in the D-League will really help and playing internationally, I was able to learn a lot from my teammates in Gilas. They gave me some tips and advice on how to improve more,” said Lanete, who was part of the national team which won the gold medal in the Jones Cup three years ago and a bronze medal in the Fiba Asia Cup last year.
The 6-foot-2 Lanete, a projected first round pick, can be a contributor right away with his experience. He also has that scorer’s mentality and never shies away from the big moments.
Lanete said he’s just “excited” to play in the PBA for whichever team selects him.
“I don’t have any preference as to which team I want to end up with. I’m just thankful to the Lord that he gave me an opportunity like this. Whichever team I go, I will just play my game.”
It took some time before Lanete finally decided to join the draft and it’s up to him if it will be worth the wait.
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