MARK Isip is hoping to help both aspiring pros and former PBA players make it to the big stage as he sees action with the Makati Skyscrapers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
The 6-foot-5 big man says he isn’t thinking about a return to the big league, but is focusing on being a mentor to the other players.
“Ang hope and wish ko, sila Philip (Paniamogan), sila Rudy (Lingganay), sila Jeckster (Apinan) na saglit lang nakalaro ng PBA, gusto ko makabalik sila,” said Isip.
“Yung mga bata naman na galing lang ng college, D-League lang, gusto ko maprepare sila. Makita nila yung professionalism and what it takes to go there, day in day out, practice everyday. The more na may umakyat sa kanila yun ang hopes natin,” he added.
After spending 11 productive years in the PBA, the 37-year-old Isip said that the biggest contribution that he’ll be bringing to the squad is his experience.
“Whatever wisdom, experience, yung knowledge at know-how sa professional if you want to go there, open book ako sa kanila to any questions.”
Isip is delighted to see a new league rise to provide opportunities to more players.
With 26 teams in the MPBL, more players will get a chance to play, developed and be exposed at the same time – giving them a better percentage of chasing their hoop dreams.
“Naiintriga ako sa competition meron tayo ngayon. Sa past game days, may makikita ka na player na kung wala tong ligang to, di sila mabibigyan ng chance. Sa next level, sa pro, less than one percent na Pinoy ang nakakalaro dun. Dito 500 Filipino players, not bad,” Isip added.
While hoping to be a mentor to the younger ones, Isip is also focusing on giving Makati a championship.
“Very good. Malaki ang chances namin. Ang first goal is to make it to the semis and from there on tignan natin kung sino makakalaban.”
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