KYT Jimenez has verbally agreed to play for the Zamboanga Valientes in the upcoming Dubai International Basketball Championships set this February.
In a photo sent to SPIN.ph by no less than Valientes team owner Junnie Navarro, Jimenez has already agreed in principle to play for them but has not yet signed the contract.
“Gusto nya muna makausap yung management ng San Miguel because he wants to settle things amicably, tama naman si Kyt kasi inalagaan siya ng San Miguel the past year,” said Navarro.
“And the fact that he was given a contract as a 76th overall pick, which is very rare, tapos binigyan pa siya ng break, na-injure lang siya, sobrang debt of gratitude na daw nya yun sa management ng San Miguel,” added the Zamboanga City-based sportsman.
Navarro is aware that as soon as Jimenez signs the dotted line in the Valientes’ contract, he will forfeit his existing 90,000 a month contract with San Miguel that will run until December 31, 2025.
READ: Kyt Jimenez risks forfeiting SMB contract as Valientes call
Born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 1997, Jimenez was dropped to the unrestricted free agent list with rights to salary by San Miguel after the team breached the 8 Fil-Foreign limit of the PBA.
As an unrestricted free agent (UFA), Jimenez is no longer required to join the Beermen’s practices and other promotional sorties and can already sign up with any team.
But Jimenez wants to show loyalty to the Beermen according to longtime sponsor, Arnold Lanaria.
“Mahal ni Kyt ang San Miguel and he values the pakikisama of his teammates and the management,” said Lanaria, owner of sports apparel brand 10ACT (Tenacity) and chemical importer of Sumochem chemicals.
“So if ever Kyt signs with Dubai, his priority will always be to return to San Miguel no matter what happens to his contract sa SMB,” he added.
But for Navarro, Jimenez’s stint at the Valientes will definitely give him the playing minutes and exposure he deserves.
“I believe in his talent and potential. Kaya nga we have been luring him to our team, kaya todo ang panliligaw namin sa kanya because we know he can make a difference for this team—- aside from the much needed crowd and social media draw,” said Navarro.
“If Kyt lives up to his billing and shows great skills with us sa Dubai, mas marami pa opportunities that will come to him. Yun nga sinasabi ko, you have to take a risk. Parang business yan. Pag di ka aalis sa comfort zone mo, stagnant ka na lang,” he added.
The Valientes will start practice for the Dubai tilt on January 10, but Navarro says he only expects Jimenez to join them maybe on the 21st.
“We’ll give him time to talk to SMC management muna. Kasi it’s his mother team. We don’t want to interfere. Ayaw namin na magsisi siya sa huli tapos kami pa ang mabuntunan,” he said while revealing that the Valientes is slated to join other international leagues in Asia after the Dubai joust.
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