BRANDON Ramirez couldn’t thank PBA 3x3 enough for the exposure he’s gotten.
And now he’s making the jump to the big league, the Fil-Canadian big man said his stint in the halfcourt tilt will always be with him.
“Playing in 3x3 really put my name out there and it’s a blessing. It gave me the opportunity and platform to showcase my talents and here I am today,” he said.
And showcase his talents, he continued to do in the PBA Season 49 Rookie Draft Combine, as he was named into the Mythical Team alongside MVP Jonnel Policarpio and Justine Baltazar, both of whom are seen to be top five picks, as well as Jordan Bartlett and Kurt Reyson.
Ramirez, 27, isn’t the first player to use PBA 3x3 as a pathway to the PBA – as the likes of Brandon Bates, Ralph Cu, Keith Datu, and Dominick Fajardo, to name a few, have already proven it to be successful.
But he’s unique in the sense that he has the resume to back it up, not only establishing himself as a reliable slotman for MCFASolver Tech Centrale, but also emerging as the top scorer in the Second Conference of Season 3.
More than just a 3x3 player
Moreover, it allowed Toronto's York University product to add to his game as he deviated from being just another post player.
“I know I can play down low, but my time in 3x3 allowed me to transform into playing on the outside,” he said. “Coming in here, the readings say I’m a heavy guy, but I take pride in that. I know my body can handle playing inside and out. It’s just a matter of conditioning.”
With his future still uncertain, Ramirez is hopeful that he has already stated his case to coaches and scouts as he promises to live up to the hype and follow the footsteps of PBA 3x3's success stories.
“I’ll always attest my success to PBA 3x3. It really humbled me from the beginning to see that I have so much to do. I know I’m on the right path, but I know there’s so much more to do as well,” he stated.
“I’ll shock a lot of teams and I’ll shock the league, hopefully. But that’s if I decide to keep on pushing and be responsible and disciplined. I’m very excited. It’s finally time to put my feet in the PBA and I’m excited for what’s next.”
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