BEN Adamos remembers the days when he was an up-and-coming big man from Albay, scratching and clawing for an opportunity with his friend Jorey Napoles.
"Nung time na magkasama kami, yung hirap talagang nakita ko. Sobrang naghirap talaga kami," he told The Prospects Pod.
Opportunities were few and far in between, but when an opening came in Technological Institute of the Philippines, you bet the two were quick to grab that chance.
Adamos was even the one to implore Napoles to join the Engineers as the basketball world soon opened up for them. "Hinatak ko siya sa TIP," he said.
San Beda soon recruited Adamos, where he won two NCAA crowns, before transferring to Perpetual.
Napoles, meanwhile, stayed put and made a name for himself in TIP.
Fast forward to now, and it's Napoles' turn to inspire Adamos in the latter's hopes of making it to the PBA.
"Naging inspirasyon ko siya kasi nauna siya sa akin eh. Sabi ko, siya nga nakaakyat kaya sana balang araw, makapunta din ako sa PBA," said Adamos of Napoles, now Phoenix Super LPG forward.
The 6-foot-7 center has established himself as a defensive-minded big that has caught the attention of coaches and scouts, with some even regarding him as a bonafide first round selection after posting 11.6 points on 45-percent shooting, alongside 8.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks for the Altas last NCAA Season 95.
Adamos continued that tear in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), where he churned 8.8 points and 7.2 boards for the Bacolod Master Sardines.
It has been a tough run for the , Albay native, but the 25-year-old banger is banking on those experiences as his main edge over his fellow bigs in this year's draft.
"Siguro kasi matagal na rin akong nagba-basketball. May experience na rin ako ng kaunti," he said. "Siguro kahit papaano, meron na rin akong baon at hindi na ako mabo-bokya pagpunta ko sa pro."
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph