IN a last-ditch effort to make it back to the PBA, social media basketball fan favorite Kyt Jimenez is hoping to make the lineup of new team Titan Ultra Giant Risers.
Straight from a stint in a short league in Bicol, Jimenez showed up at the Giant Risers’ practice in Westpine Gym in Quezon City.
Though his chances are slim, Jimenez hopes he can break the lineup and fulfill his dream of finally returning to the big league.
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“Sobrang gusto ko pong makabalik sa PBA kasi ito po talaga dream ko. Unang hawak ko pa lang po ng bola, gusto ko na mag PBA,” said Jimenez in a short chat with SPIN.ph.
“Sana po makuha ako ng Titan Ultra kahit alam ko po na halos kumpleto na roster nila,” he added.
Jimenez bared that he wasn’t able to join the Giant Risers tryouts and practices immediately as he had commitments to play in a ligang labas in Bicol.
The 28-year old Saudi Arabia-born dribbler bared that after his stint with Sarangani in the MPBL, he decided to suit up for South Poblacion.
“Alam nyo naman po siguro pinagdaanan ko, nagsunod-sunod injury ko when I was at San Miguel so di ko nakuha break ko dun. Para hindi po bumaba kumpiyansa ko sa sarili ko, talagang bawat liga na pwede ako lumaro, nilalaruan ko,” said the guard who also played for the Zamboanga Valientes in Dubai.
Asked if he thinks he still has what it takes to finally show his true potential in the PBA, Jimenez said he has no doubt.
“Oo naman po kaya nga po sobrang nagpakindisyon ako. Na halos sa isang araw dalawang game nilalaro ko kasi po hindi pa ako sumusuko sa pangarap ko na maipakita sa PBA ang value ko,” said the former Mavs Phenomenal star.
Meanwhile, Sarangani coach John Kallos bared that he has already given Jimenez his release papers so there won’t any problem should he get an offer from the Pureblends-owned franchise.
“It was hard for us to let go of Kyt kasi kailangan sana namin siya sa last games namin baka nakakakuha pa kami ng magandang pwesto sa playoffs kaso syempre hindi naman namin hahadlangan ang pangarap nya,” said Kallos.
“Kyt can be a good asset to any team. He has the skills and the following. Alam naman natin ang clout sa social media nyan. Kaya nga pagnaglalaro siya sa labas, puno lagi ang venue. Siya kasi ang patunay na kahit simpleng tao, maliit man, kaya mo makipagsabayan sa basketball,” he added.
Titan going all out
Meanwhile, as Titan Ultra prepares for its maiden voyage in the PBA, team manager Aldriane Anglim told SPIN.ph that they were thrilled to see Jimenez’s interest in joining them.
“Actually, when his name first made rounds on social media nagulat din ako kasi ang dami agad nag-text sa min about him,” said Anglim, a longtime confidante of team owner Bryann Calantoc.
“Maliit na ang time for us to accept new recruits kasi short ang preparations namin and pastart na ang All Filipino, but we’ll see. Alam naman namin na players like Kyt will always be ready,” he added.
Jimenez was accompanied to the Giant Risers’ practice by his agent Danny Espiritu.
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