Mahindra finds gold in rookie Guinto 

Mahindra picked 14th overall and it hit the jackpot by selecting Bradwyn Guinto in this year’s draft.

That’s how Enforcers assistant coach Chito Victolero put it as Guinto gave the teams regrets after passing up on him with an impressive showing so far in his first two games as a pro.

Mahindra dropped to 0-2 after losing to Talk ‘N Text on Saturday but looked like a winner with Guinto posting a 17-point, 13-rebound stat line against the Tropang Texters’ top two rookies in Mo Tautuaa and Troy Rosario.

“Parang tumama kami sa lotto,” Victolero said of landing Guinto.

“He works hard. I think madami pa siyang ipapakita,” continued the Enforcers deputy, who selected Guinto second in the second round. “Pinagdadasal ko nga na wag muna sana siya makuha sa draft. Buti nakuha namin siya.”

Guinto said his coaches and teammates are playing a big part in what he’s been able to do so far.

“It feels good. I think I’m ready,” he said. “They just keep encouraging me and giving me confidence so it makes it a lot easier.”

The former San Sebastian star also said he doesn’t let pressure get to him and that his only concern is to play within his capacity to help the team win and not make a point to the rest of the league.

“The pressure, it’s on them,” he said. “It’s not a statement game for me. I just keep telling myself to just play defense and just let the rest take care of itself.”