A U.S. NCAA Division III player in Andrew Milot looks to make it to the PBA by applying to the Season 50 Draft.
The 5-foot-11 Milot recently played for Whittier College in California, but also saw action for Knox College during the 2023-24 season where he averaged 13.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.
“The conference I was in, the SCIAC (Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference), was a really good division. Couple of guys went to Division I from there. It is a well-respected conference in California,” he said, referring to Whittier College.
The 24-year-old Milot was then spotted by former Blackwater coach Ariel Vanguardia at a camp in the U.S.
“I met him at a showcase in Vegas. They saw that I can play, and gave me an opportunity to play out here,” said Milot, whose mother has Filipino roots.
“It was like a Euro-grade overseas combine that he saw me at. He likes my game, he asked if I was Filipino and I said I was.”
A shot at Philippine basketball
Milot was already aware of Philippine basketball through a former PBA player in Fil-Am Kim Valenzuela, who had a brief two-year stint with Barangay Ginebra after being drafted in 2004 at No. 13 by Sta. Lucia.
“I have this guy who is also helping me out. He put me with a lot of Fil-Ams in San Diego and LA area. I know the physicality a little bit more. Obviously, it’s a lot different here in the Philippines, but I’ll get accustomed to it,” said Milot of Valenzuela.
Though under the radar, Milot hopes that his performance in the Draft Combine would be enough to make it to the PBA.
“I’ve been here for like three days,” said Milot last Thursday. “It’s my first time. Just me. It’s been a cool experience so far.”
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