RAYMAR Jose had to rush out of the dugout on Thursday in the aftermath of Cignal HD’s thrilling 70-66 win over Batangas just to make it to Gilas Pilpinas’ practice on time.
Such has been the routine these days for Jose, who has been busy with both the Hawkeyes and the national team in a tough balancing act.
It's not easy.
The 6-foot-4 cager has to go to Cignal’s practice every morning at the San Beda campus, go back home to Gilmore in Quezon City, then head straight to the Meralco Gym at night to train with the Gilas team bound for the Jones Cup in Chinese-Taipei.
“Mahirap kasi siyempre lagari ‘yung lakad ko, pero doon kasi ako maraming natutunan kasi papunta na rin ako sa pro, “ said Jose, who is part of the Gilas roster that will compete in both the Jones Cup and Southeast Asian Games.
But the hardworking forward out of Far Eastern University, who finished with eight points and 12 rebounds in Thursday's match, has no complaints with the double shift.
“Mina-manage ko lang ‘yung practice ko minsan, pero sa Gilas kailangan ibigay mo ‘yung 100 percent best mo o sobrahan mo pa kasi ‘yung mga kasama mo professional na,” he said
He knows the experience will go a long way in his basketball career.
“Basta mindset ko kasi sa loob ng court ibibigay ko ‘yung best ko. Pangarap ko din kasing mapunta ako sa PBA. Ngayon blessed ako kasi napili ako sa Gilas kaya lahat ng ipagawa sa akin ni coach Chot [Reyes] gagawin ko talaga,” added Jose.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
