BACOLOD – No one was more surprised by Keith Zaldivar ending up at No. 1 in the fan voting of the Rookies, Sophomores, and Juniors Game in the PBA All-Star than Zaldivar himself.
The Converge big man said he is thankful that he was able to secure a berth in the RSJ game, but admitted he was at a loss as to why he ended up at No. 1 in the voting.
Just like in the actual All-Star Game, votes were garnered online in the PBA website and onsite at game venues for a certain period for the RSJ game.
Zaldivar: 'Nagulat ako'
“Nagulat ako,” said Zaldivar, picked in the first round at 12th overall by Magnolia in the PBA Season 47 draft in 2022. “’Yung dati kong teammate (sa Adamson) si Simon Camacho, sinend niya sa akin ‘yung voting. Sabi ko, baka nagkamali lang sila. Sobrang nagulat ako sa No. 1 na ‘yun.”
Many speculated that Zaldivar may have taken the No. 1 spot since he played for Magnolia, one of the more popular teams in the PBA. He previously played for the Hotshots before signing with Converge as a free agent the following season.
Jerrick Ahanmisi, who currently plays for the Hotshots, ended up second to Zaldivar in the voting.
Another Magnolia player Mark Barroca also landed as the top vote-getter in the PBA All-Star Game.
“Wala nga rin akong idea kung bakit ako nag-number one. Siguro nung On Tour, medyo maganda ‘yung nakita ko, baka may nakita ‘yung ibang tao na hindi nila ineexpect na makita. Salamat na lang sa mga bumoto,” said Zaldivar.
“Isa rin siguro. Inisip ko rin, baka sa mga fans ng Magnolia. Kasi number two si Jerrick, Magnolia din,” said the 27-year-old Zaldivar, who is currently averaging 1.6 points in five games with Converge.
Nevertheless, the former Adamson cager said he will make sure to play his best to repay the fans’ trust.
“Motivation na rin kasi siguro may nakita ‘yung mga tao na may potential. Work lang ako ng work. ‘Yung mga kulang sa akin, wino-work ko lang hanggang sa ma-improve ko,” said Zaldivar.
Zaldivar looks forward to 3-Point Shootout
Zaldivar though admitted he is more excited to compete in the Three-Point Shootout for the bigs rather than in the RSJ, as he has been working on his outside shots even more now that he is in the PBA.
He will compete against Ralph Cu of Barangay Ginebra, Christian David of Blackwater, James Laput of Magnolia, Raymond Almazan of Meralco, Dave Marcelo of NLEX, JM Calma of NorthPort, Jason Perkins of Phoenix, Santi Santillan of Rain or Shine, June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel, Isaac Go of Terrafirma, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser of TNT.
“Excited ako sa three-point shootout. ‘Yung, three points, lagi kong pinapraktis ‘yun tuwing umaga bago magsimula ‘yung practice. Talagang nagsu-shooting ako,” said Zaldivar.
Zaldivar said he felt his outside shot was his ticket to the PBA when he began to work on it regularly during his final year with Adamson in 2021.
“Nung last year ko sa UAAP kay coach Nash, maganda ‘yung napakita ko sa three points. ‘Yun din siguro na tumitira ako sa tres kaya ako na-draft. Isa ‘yun sa mga naging sandata ko,” said Zaldivar.
“Nagti-three points na ako dati pero wala akong kumpiyansa. Tumaas na ‘yung kumpiyansa ko nung kay coach Nash na sa last playing year ko sa UAAP,” he added.
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