EVERYBODY deserves a second chance.
That’s the stance taken by NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan as for the second straight year, the team plucked a player deemed to be problematic by other scouts.
“I'm trying to put myself in their position. I want to give them hope and a chance to change and straighten out their careers,” he said.
Germy Mahinay was taken in the fifth round, 46th overall in this past PBA Season 49 Rookie Draft despite still having an unresolved issue with the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
The former University of Santo Tomas and National University bruiser was suspended indefinitely by the government arm for his “deplorable act” after undercutting Joey Barcuma during the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) game between Negros Muscovados and Zamboanga Master Sardines last April.
Despite this, Mahinay took his shot at the pro league and was fortunately called up by NorthPort.
But this move really is nothing new, with the Batang Pier also picking John Amores last year.
Amores, who gained infamy for his rampage during his time with Jose Rizal University in the NCAA, was also taken by NorthPort in the fifth round, 51st overall.
He then worked his way to a contract and appeared in 19 games for the Batang Pier last season, averaging 3.3 points and 1.5 rebounds in 7.8 minutes.
Tan, however, clarified that Mahinay will have to work hard if he wants to secure a contract, not just with NorthPort but with any other team who wants to give him a lifeline, on top of proving that he has really reformed himself for GAB to rescind his ban.
“I spoke to Germy this morning after practice and I told him if there’s other team inviting him to practice with them, just inform our coaches. Pero pag wala, open pa rin siya to practice with us and stay in shape at NorthPort,” the soft-spoken mentor said.
“But at the end of the day, like all of the current players and more so for the rookies, he has to work hard to earn his place in the PBA.”
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.
