AFTER missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in Japan, Jaydee Tungcab can't just sit down and wait until the next B.League season to unfold.
"Kailangan ko na rin suportahan ang family ko kasi ako yung breadwinner. Si papa at mama, wala namang work tapos may dalawa pa akong kapatid na mas bata sa akin," the former University of the Philippines Maroon said.
Tungcab was supposed to be signed by Koshigaya Alphas in the second division of the B.League. That would have made him the second Filipino to play in Japan after Thirdy Ravena, who is playing for the San-En NeoPhoenix in the first division.
But those plans were dropped following the outbreak of the new COVID-19 strain in Japan late last year.
"Dapat sana makakapaglaro na ako sa Japan. Ok na eh, pero nung December, may dumating na bagong strain at kahit anong apply ko ng visa, hindi ako pinapayagan hanggang sa nagkaroon na ng travel ban," he recounted.
Tungcab is so coveted by Koshigaya that the team had a standing offer for him to play as its import for the new season in August.
However, the defensive lynchpin can no longer afford to wait any longer, and instead, opted to declare for the upcoming PBA Rookie Draft.
As much as the 6-foot-2 guard rued the missed opportunity, he believes this decision is for the best to be able to help his dad Frederick and mom Janet more.
And it doesn't hurt that the move allows him to achieve his goal of playing in the PBA after a brief run with the Gilas Pilipinas pool.
"Hindi ko naman inexpect na magkakaroon ng opportunity na makapaglaro ako abroad eh. Pero lahat ng basketball players dito sa atin, pangarap makaakyat sa PBA. So ako, masaya ako na may chance akong makaabot sa PBA," he said.
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