DALPH Panopio is honored to have an opportunity to tryout with Barangay Ginebra prior to the PBA Season 50 Draft.
The 25-year-old Panopio had a chance to show his wares with no less than the PBA’s winningest coach Tim Cone with the former Batang Gilas player attending a tryout held at the San Miguel Corp. compound, photos of which also circulated online.
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“I’m super honored. When I first saw him, I shook his hand and I’m really happy to meet him. I admire him, I watch him all the time with the Gilas. I was really, really honored to meet Coach Tim and be able to practice and have the chance to tryout at Ginebra,” said Panopio.
Despite the interest at Barangay Ginebra with the tryout, Panopio said it will be an exciting time for him to play in the PBA, regardless of which team picks him.
“I had tryouts. Everybody naman nagta-tryout naman. Ginebra contacted me and wanted a tryout. No problem naman eh. And everybody saw the pictures. But at the end of the day, that’s something that I can’t control kasi it’s going to be the draft, whoever gets the first pick, who gets the best option,” said the Rome, Italy-born Panopio.
“Whatever’s gonna happen happens. I’m just excited to join the PBA and I’m excited to represent whoever team picks me,” he added.
Easy decision for Dalph
The California State University-Bakersfield product said it wasn’t a difficult decision to join the PBA draft even with options overseas.
“It was easy to be honest. I wanted to be a professional basketball player. And being a Filipino, it really helps me especially in the PBA. Being born in Italy and had a chance to play in the States, I feel really lucky na dito ako makakalaro sa PBA and play in my country,” said the former Batang Gilas standout.
The 6-1 Panopio also added he wants to bring versatility in the guard position to whichever team that selects him in the draft.
“Point guard po ako. I can be a point guard and a shooting guard. What I can do is the capacity to be able to shoot and be a point guard where I can control the pace, move the ball, try to be a leader, and try to help the team," he said.
“But it’s going to be my rookie year. Whoever team picks me, I’m really willing to sacrifice and mag-work."
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