PBA Rookie Draft applicant Christian Cayobit is no stranger to performing in the big stage.
After all, the Cebuano is a singer who has represented the country before in the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) contest in Long Beach, California back in 2019.
"Very rare, malaking privilege, at karangalan sa akin na ma-represent ang bansa natin. Hindi lang talent ang pinapakita mo kundi ang pagka-Pilipino natin," Cayobit said.
Cayobit made his kababayans proud, winning two silver medals after belting "Where do I Begin" by Andy Williams in the Solo Vocal Contemporary and "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban in the Solo Vocal Opera, both in the 24 to 29 years old division.
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Not bad actualy, considering it was his first international competition ever.
"Humbled ako sa experience na yun. More than 60 countries yung nagharap sa contest na yun at pinakita ang iba't ibang world-class talents, hindi lang sa pagkanta," he said, beaming with pride.
It's with this resolve that Cayobit, although little known in basketball circles, is trying his luck in a new arena as he applies for the upcoming PBA Rookie Draft.
The 30-year-old University of Cebu product is the smallest in the record pool of players who applied for the draft, standing at 5-foot-5.
But like how he stared at his competitors in WCOPA, Cayobit is unfazed.
"Sariling desisyon ko po na mag-apply sa PBA draft. Matagal ko nang ambisyon na makapaglaro sa PBA mula pa nung elementary ako," said the Punta Princesa, Cebu City native, who grew up idolizing Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
The farthest Cayobit ever got in basketball was in high school when he was included in the varsity of Cebu Institute of Technology University (CIT-U) from 2004 to 2008.
Although he never got to play college call, Cayobit said he remained a fixture in recreational leagues in the Queen City of the South, showing his wares in barangay and inter-department leagues for his company.
Cayobit is currently a fraud specialist for Synchrony Global Services Philippines, Inc. but still does singing gigs on the side. He competed in ABS-CBN's Tawag ng Tanghalan in 2018 which served as his springboard to compete in WCOPA.
Basketball, through it all, remained close to his heart.
Hearing his name called in the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft will be music to this guy's ears, but he also knows the odds he and the other longshots are facing in a pool of aspirants filled with size, talent, and athleticism.
That the traditional Draft Combine has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic doesn't help the cause of little-known ballers like him.
"Nakakapanghinayang kasi lalo na kaming mga hindi kilalang personalidad sa basketball, hindi kami mabibigyan ng chance na maipakita sa coaches yung kaya naming gawin," he rued.
Yet, Cayobit stands defiant, drawing inspiration from his stunning performances in the WCOPA contest.
"For me, yung sipag at never-say-die attitude yung tingin kong magpapaangat sa akin sa iba kong kasabayan sa draft," said Cayobit, who described himself as a guard who is "palaban."
"Dahil di ako katangkaran, ang puso kong palaban at pakikinig sa lahat ng instructions ng coaches ang sa tingin ko ang iaangat ko."
Who knows? Miracles do happen, and how great would it be for him to play in the same league as that of his idol and fellow Cebuano Dondon Hontiveros.
"Tulad ng pag-compete ko sa pagkanta, one-hundred percent lagi ang ibibigay mo. Halos walang pinagkaiba yung pagkanta sa basketball kasi lagi naman yung best mo ang dadalhin mo sa bawat laban."
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