JONNEL Policarpio was poised to be a vital part of La Salle’s quest for back-to-back UAAP crowns this upcoming Season 87.
But the lure of taking his game to the next level was a prospect too hard to pass up for the Arayat, Pampanga native.
“Para rin sa family ko,” quipped the 6-foot-5 forward, as he tests his luck in the PBA Season 49 Rookie Draft.
Policarpio admitted that the thought of throwing his name into the hat had been constantly weighing on his mind since the Green Archers’ campaign in the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup.
And on the eve of the deadline for submission for draft applicants, he decided to pull the trigger.
It's a yes, once and for all
It may be a leap of faith for Policarpio, but it’s a journey that he has prepared for with coach Topex Robinson guiding him in their lone season together in Taft.
“Sobrang blessing na naging coach ko si coach Topex kasi on and off the court, tinutulungan niya ako. Marami talaga akong natutunan 'di lang sa basketball kundi sa buhay din,” he said.
And Policarpio is taking those lessons to heart as he understands that the PBA is a different beast altogether.
That’s why despite being the youngest among the applicants at just 22 years of age, the hard-nosed banger would rather let his game do the talking.
READ: Jonnel Policarpio steals show in PBA Combine Day 1 scrimmages
“Kahit saan naman ako magpunta, nilalaro ko lang yung laro ko at sinisipagan ko lang lagi sa loob ng court. Ready lang ako lagi,” he ended.
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