MICHAEL Calisaan believes his stint with CafeFrance in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup comes at a perfect time as he seeks to improve on his skills not just for college but also to the next level.
The 22-year-old Calisaan made his debut in the developmental league this season after being drafted for the Bakers last December by his coach at San Sebastian, Egay Macaraya, who holds the same position with the D-League side.
Calisaan said his stint with the Bakers will only help him learn the system of Macaraya even more after the head coach was hired by the Stags before the NCAA Season 92 campaign.
“Last year, parang first year pa lang niya, lahat kami naninibago pa. Nung second round lang namin nakukuha ‘yung sistema,” Calisaan told SPIN.ph.
Calisaan said the Stags also didn’t waste no time after the Season 92 campaign.
“After last season, nag-break lang kami saglit tapos practice uli. Pinaghahandaan talaga namin,” said Calisaan.
Calisaan is also getting the breaks from Macaraya with the Bakers, a team that has given him the exposure in preparation for the next step in his basketball career.
“Para sa akin, napakalaking exposure lalo na D-League ‘to, pangarap ko mag-PBA. Stepping stone ‘to para makuha ‘yung pangarap ko lalo na CafeFrance pa, hindi basta-basta, hindi sila sumusuko. Palaban talaga,” said Calisaan.
Calisaan said he is learning a lot from his stint with the Bakers, particularly on being a leader.
“Gina-guide ko sila pero at the same time, gina-guide din nila ako. Nagtutulungan talaga kami,” said Calisaan.
Ultimately, his exposure in the PBA D-League will also help on his immediate goal for his playing career, which is to help the Stags become competitive next season as they host Season 93.
“Next season kasi, kami ang host so hopefully, maging maganda ang takbo ng team namin. ‘Yung mga kulang namin last season, i-practice pa namin hanggang ma-perfect namin ‘yung sistema ni coach Egay,” said Calisaan.