MARIO Barasi has found a home at NorthPort after he was left unsigned by Barangay Ginebra, which drafted him in the second round of the PBA Season 50 draft.
The 6-foot-7 Barasi has signed with the Batang Pier, thankful to make it to the PBA after being picked at No. 13 in the draft by the Gin Kings.
He is also thankful to Barangay Ginebra for the opportunity to become a PBA player, even though he didn’t made the roster of the nation’s most popular team.
READ: NorthPort wipes out 19-point Phoenix lead to force draw in tuneup
“Masaya po na nakahanap na ako ng team ko sa PBA,” said the 25-year-old Barasi on Tuesday after NorthPort’s tune-up game against Phoenix.
“Thankful pa rin kahit ganun ang nangyari kasi Ginebra din naman ang nagsabi na pumunta ako dito. Thankful ako na pinapirma naman agad.”
“Dream naman natin na maging PBA player kahit anong team,” said Barasi, who previously played for Adamson in the UAAP and Basilan in the MPBL before inking a deal with NorthPort.
The Lal-lo, Cagayan native said he gained knowledge from the brief time he had with the Gin Kings and head coach Tim Cone.
“’Yung time ko sa Ginebra, five days ko, sobrang saya, ang dami kong natutunan lalo na kay coach Tim Cone. Puwede ko madala dito,” Barasi said.
Barasi said he will be out to bring quality minutes for NorthPort in the big man position.
“Siguro ‘yung depensa tapos ‘yung pagiging role player,” said Barasi on what he can contribute to the ballclub.
“’Yung quality minutes na maibibigay para makapagpahinga ‘yung mga main guys," he added. “Lalaban at lalaban naman kami. Nandiyan sila Kuya Calvin (Abueva), Kuya Joshua Munzon. Lalaban talaga."
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