Being young not an excuse for Alolino: ‘I need to cope up right away’
Despite being the youngest player in the league at the age of 22, Phoenix rookie Gelo Alolino is not shying away from the challenges every game.
“As a young guy, (I just) give my best every time na nasa court ako para makatulong sa team,” Alolino said.
The 14th overall pick in the 2016 PBA draft said he is glad to be able to live his dream of playing in Asia’s first play for pay league at a very young age, though he was quick to downplay his youth.
“Nakakatuwa kasi pangarap ko talaga na makalaro sa PBA. Pero ‘di naman excuse na bata ako. Kailangan kong mag-adapt agad, mag-cope up sa level of play.”
He admitted that he still experiences rookie jitters at times, but manages to shrug it off with the help of his coaches and teammates.
Alolino said he was frustrated after Fuel Masters picked up their second straight lopsided loss, 98-117, against TNT though he admitted he enjoyed the opportunity to finally faced one of his idols on the hardcourt– Jayson Castro.
“Syempre nandun pa rin ‘yung paghanga pero gusto ko pa rin ipakita na nakikipag-compete ako sa kanya,” he said of the best point guard in Asia. “Para doon ko rin makuha ‘yung respect nya sa’kin. Syempre para maipakita ko rin ‘yung respect ko sa kanya,” said the former National University star. Jeremiah Sevilla
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