JERRY Codinera feels more anxious heading to the PBA Season 50 Draft compared to the numerous championship games he played in throughout his pro career.
Pardon the man, for his son Jude Emmanuel ‘Manu’ Codinera is among the 122 players aspiring to be called on stage and be fitted with the traditional jacket and cap usually handed out to rookie selections.
“Oo, ako ang kinakabahan, e,” the retired PBA great shared SPIN.ph. “But just like any father, siyempre I wish him the best.”
The elder Codinera, now 58, of course, didn’t experience what his son had to go through during the time he decided to turn pro.
As a decorated player in college and a one of the youngest members of the national team Northern Consolidated back then, he was elevated by Purefoods as one of the four top amateur players to be part of the organization that brought the Tanduay franchise as part of the consensus given to them by PBA hierarchy back in the day.
Even so, the 6-foot-5 Codinera - dubbed ‘Defense Minister’ during his heyday - would have easily ended up a Top 3 pick had he gone through the draft in 1988.
Now, his son Manu will try to make it - albeit via a different path.
While admitting the younger Codinera, a former reserve for University of Santo Tomas, is not yet fully equipped as far as his game is concerned, Jerry said his son has improved a lot and is more than willing to learn the ropes in the PBA if ever he gets drafted and eventually signed by a team.
“Kulang pa actually. Kailangan sa pro, finished product ka e,” said the big man out of University of the East and one of the PBA's 50 Greatest Players.
“He’s young and he has so much to improve. Pero ang bentahe niya, madali siyang nakaka-adjust,” he added.
A Codinera at guard
Unlike his father who is considered one of the premier big men of all time, Manu is only 6-2 and plays at guard.
The elder Codinera, who played a total of 17 seasons and won five championships and two Best Player of the Conference awards, said there’s no regret Manu didn’t inherit his height and size.
“Actually, ok na yan. He plays guard and mabilis din naman,” said the three-time Mythical First Team selection, 10-time All-Defensive Team member, and 11-time All-Star.
Jerry just hopes playing under his shadow won’t get in the way of Manu, a holder of a degree in Bachelor of Science in Fitness and Sports Management and grandson of the late legendary baseball player Filomeno Codinera.
“I just hope hindi umakyat sa kanya yung pressure,” he said. “He’s trying his best talaga to make it.”
A former coach of UE, Arellano, and other club teams, Jerry said he has no preference as to where his son may end up.
“Wala naman. Kahit sinong team. Sabi ko sa kanya kung sino ang pi-pick sa iyo, just be ready,” said the Codinera patriarch.
The Purefoods franchise (Magnolia), maybe?
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