GELO Alolino has been waiting for this opportunity to come.
Several months after his last PBA contract expired, Alolino is back in the league after signing with Converge for the rest of the season and just in time before the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs.
Alolino last played for Terrafirma in the first conference of the 49th Season in the Governors’ Cup. With the Dyip failing to make the playoffs, Alolino’s last PBA game was actually last September 21 in a loss to Meralco.
READ: Gelo Alolino career gets new life with one-conference Converge deal
He remained under contract with Terrafirma since November, but he hasn’t played any game in the PBA since nine months ago.
“I was waiting for the right time and ito, parang ang bilis lang ng pangyayari,” said the 31-year-old Alolino, who actually got to attend his first practice with Converge last Friday but has been communicating with FiberXers coach Franco Atienza even before that.
“Natawagan ako ni Coach Franco (Atienza), nag-simula ako sa kanila, nag-ensayo ako sa kanila, nag-practice ako for a couple of days and then actually, parang mabilis ang transition. Medyo coping up naman. ‘Yun ang story nung tiwala nila coach Franco and the rest of the coaches, assistant coaches, management, nila Maam CK (Kanapi). Ayun, nakabalik uli,” said Alolino.
Gelo stays the course
The former National University standout who previously played in the PBA for Phoenix, Blackwater, and San Miguel admitted he received several offers from different teams including the MPBL, but decided not to sign with any.
During this period, Alolino entered into coaching through AMA University-Las Piñas, which recently reached the NBTC Regionals last summer. He is also currently coaching in the college level with Regis Marie College in Paranaque City.
He never regretted that decision.
“Merong teams (na nag-offer). Talagang I was waiting for the right time, for the best time,” said Alolino, when asked why he didn’t opted to sign with other teams. “Mga one of the best decisions in my career moving forward.”
“Tapos ‘yung pag-ko-coaching, dumating rin siya actually while I’m playing pa sa Terra, ‘yung makatulong tayo sa mga kagaya natin na nag-aspire dati sa college noon tapos sa high school, share lang,” he added.
In terms of fitness, Alolino said he has always been in shape during the time that he was waiting for the right offer. He regularly played 5-on-5 even with his AMA team.
“Typical professional player pa rin kahit medyo na-sideline tayo for a while, continuous ‘yung workout, continuous ‘yung 5-on-5, shooting, kahit saan. Hindi naman tayo nalayo. Wala akong team na nilaruan pero I see to it na makapag-workout, tumakbo, feel the game, makapaglaro," he said
Typical na mindset pa rin to stay ready para sa opportunity na darating. Nakakatuwa ang coaching pero sumasabay ako sa kanila (AMA) just to maging fit,” he added. “Nung dumating ‘yung opportunity, hindi ko siya taken for granted. Hindi ko pinalagpas."
Now with Converge, Alolino is also making his best effort to learn the system as quickly as possible especially heading into the playoffs where the FiberXers are facing a twice-to-win disadvantage against Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinals.
“Ako ‘yung talagang nagdo-double time. They are winning their games sa standing nila. Going to playoffs, everything na lahat na puwede kong i-absorb, inaabsorb ko in a couple of days. Ako ‘yung humahabol,” said Alolino.
As quick as the turn of events of his entry with Converge, Alolino’s season could also end in a blink of an eye. The FiberXers face a do-or-die situation against Barangay Ginebra.
But Alolino doesn’t mind.
“Wala sa iniisip ko ‘yun. Ang mentality ko is to make the most out of it and as a professional, tinawag nila ako to prove myself and matulungan ko rin sila in a way," he shared.
"Hopefully, makatulong ako in any aspect even in practice, even in any kind of leadership sa locker room, sa dugout, or sa floor. Regardless, hindi ko naman iniisip ‘yun. Pumunta ako doon para magpasalamat sa opportunity,” he continued.
“Hopefully, fingers crossed, I look forward to staying longer. Nothing is impossible. If it’s God’s will, nothing is impossible. I trust His plans."
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