JONEL Policarpio is joining his fellow La Salle Green Archer teammates in the coming PBA Rookie Draft.
The 21-year-old Kapampangan, who was part of the La Salle team that won the UAAP men’s basketball championship in Season 86, on Wednesday declared for the July 14 draft at Glorietta, Makati.
That put an end to his controversial varsity career and made him the latest La Salle player to become available for the draft, filing his application on the same day as former La Salle star and consensus No. 1 pick Justine Baltazar.
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Aside from Policarpio and Baltazar, other Green Archers who applied include Evan Nelle, Ben Philips, Francis Escandor, and DJ Mitchell.
Policarpio, Nelle, Philips, and Escandor were all part of the La Salle unit that beat University of the Philippines in the deciding Game 3 of the finals last year to bring the UAAP championship back to Taft Avenue.
He averaged 6.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in his final season of a career that saw him flip-flop on leaving the Green Archers.
The 6-foot-5 forward later disclosed to SPIN.ph his decision to finally turn pro, citing family reasons.
"Oo, magpapa-draft na ako," said Policarpio. "Para din sa pamilya ko."
But he also faced accusations of submitting questionable documents during his time with Mapua in high school.
Policarpio took to Instagram later and expressed how grateful he was to the entire La Salle community for making his stay there a memorable one, saying the decision to leave the school and turn pro was 'one of the toughest decisions I made.'
"Extending all my gratitude to my managers, teammates, and to everyone na naniwala sa capabilities ko and talent as an athlete. Of course, I also owe everything that I have achieved to the La Salle community - you will always be one for the books," he said in an Instagram post.
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Policarpio mentioned in particular coach Topex Robinson, major La Salle boosters Andoy Reyes, Mans Carpio, Johnny Valdez, Terry Capistrano, Justice Andres Reyes, Eric Ongcauco, Raffy Villavicencio, and coach Anthony Brody Brodett.
"Ang dami kong aral na natutunan sa kanila na madadala ko sa buong buhay ko," he said.
"Salamat sa suporta, paniniwala, and unending love for the team. I'll hold this memory forever sa akin, especially this season na we made Taft as champions once again," added Policarpio.
"I don't know what the future holds for me, but I am excited to see what's in store for me as an athlete. Always will be, Animo La Salle."
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