CLIFFORD Jopia is making the most of the second wind of his PBA career.
The lanky big man appreciates getting at Magnolia the breaks that has eluded him during his two-year stay with Blackwater.
Since he arrived as a free-agent pick-up, the 6-foot-8 Jopia has been part of coach LA Tenorio’s starting unit in the Season 50 Governors’ Cup, an opportunity and trust he’s trying to repay in any way he can.
READ Jopia hoping to land Magnolia frontline spot in tryout
He ended up scoreless in his first Manila Clasico against Barangay Ginebra, but grabbed four rebounds and held his own against the Kings’ Twin Towers of Japeth Aguilar and Troy Rosario.
And to think he just tried out with the Hotshots after he wasn't renewed by the Bossing when his contract expired at the end of the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup.
“Napaka-suwerte ko kasi nabibigyan ako ng chance lalo galing ako sa free agency,” said Jopia following Magnolia’s 88-73 win over Ginebra on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Tapos nag-try out lang ako. Kaya masaya ako dahil binibigyan nila ako ng opportunity na makapaglaro.”
A product of San Beda, Jopia was the No. 26 overall pick (third round) by Blackwater in the Season 48 draft. But he never got the breaks with the Bossing, so much so that he wasn’t given a contract extension when his original deal expired.
Jopia admitted feeling bad when he was let go by the Bossing.
“Siyempre una wala kang sahod. E marami akong binabayaran,” he said.
Good thing, strength and conditioning coach Kirk Collier encouraged him to try out for a spot at Magnolia especially with big men Russell Escoto and James Laput on the injured list.
“Nag-speed skills kami tapos sabi niya (Collier) puwede raw akong mag-try out sa Magnolia,” said Jopia of Collier, who is part of Tenorio’s coaching staff.
He could have also tried out with the MVP group especially at TNT where Yuri Escueta is also part of the coaching staff. Escueta was Jopia’s coach with the Red Lions where they won the Season 99 men’s basketball championship together.
“Puwede naman daw akong mag-try out, pero nauna na kasi itong Magnolia,” he recalled.
Besides, it’s with the Hotshots where his heart is right now.
Magnolia has given him a one-year contract that extends until Season 51.
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