2ND RD STEAL FOR TNT
Talk ‘N Text might have just hit the jackpot in the 2014 Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft when Perpetual Help’s Harold Arboleda fell on their lap in the second round.
Arboleda is one of the most impressive recruits to have come out of the Altas program under the tutelage of legendary coach Aric del Rosario, and many pundits consider it as a steal for the Tropang Texters when they nabbed the hardworking forward.
But for The 24-year-old Arboleda, he’s just taking everything in stride.
“Pressure din sakin kasi di ko inexpect eh,” he said. “Di ko alam kung ano ang plano sa akin ni God. Tao lang ako. Di kailangan magpa-impress ako (dito sa NCAA). Dapat focus pa rin ako sa mga ginagawa ko tulad ng magpalakas ng katawan. Kung makapirma, eh di trabaho lang. Basta trabaho lang.”
Joining a loaded TNT squad which features a number of former national team members, Arboleda admitted that he is open to the idea of playing third string or reserve for the squad. What’s important for him is to just make the most of the chances given him.
“Excited din, pero kung ano lang yung ibigay sa akin, kung ano lang yung opportunity. Kahit sino naman, kahit anong team, gusto lang maglaro eh,” he said.
The 6-foot-2 workhorse also said that whatever he is showing with Perpetual in the NCAA would basically be the same stuff he will strut in the PBA, a three-and-D guy who could be a valuable piece for any squad.
“Basta ako, role player lang ako. Focus ko yung depensa. Yung mga points, andyan na yan eh, pulot-pulot. Basta ang concern ko depensa lang muna,” he said. (RL)
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