ARIS Dionisio is shooting hard for the stars and he’s willing to make sacrifices to get there.
The 6-foot-5 do-it-all forward is foregoing his final year in Naascu for St. Clare to focus on his stint with the Manila Stars in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
Dionisio won two championships with the Saints in Naascu under the tutelage of Jinino Manansala before showing that he can play against the big boys in his stints with Victoria Sports and Gamboa Coffee in the PBA D-League.
“Ginive up ko na yun para makapaglaro dito. Maayos naman yung usap namin ni coach,” said Dionisio.
“Siguro ito yung pinakamalaking chance ko para makapaglaro sa PBA,” he added.
Dionisio is reunited with head coach Phillip Cezar, his mentor when he was still playing in Philippine School of Business Administration. His long, lanky frame and his ability to affect the game on the defensive end makes him a good understudy for the PBA’s original ‘Tapal King.’
“Si coach Philip kasi coach ko dati sa PSBA. Nung nagbuo yung Manila tinawag niya ako kung pwede ba ako makalaro at available ayun, nagkasama ulit kami,” said Dionisio.
He also hopes to learn quickly from a slew of PBA veterans in his team led by Roger Yap, Joseph Yeo and Reil Cervantes. Whatever happens, he vows to do everything in order to help his squad.
“Sobrang saya ko kasi mga kakampi ko ngayon dating PBA at dati kong kalaban na magagaling, kasama ko na sila sa team,” said Dionisio.
“Just play hard lang dito sa team. Pakita kung ano yung kaya ko para makatulong ako sa team namin.”
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