CAN you get by on ₱300 a day?
That's how College of St. Benilde Blazers guard Winston Ynot lives as a college varsity and MPBL player as he aspires to save as much as he can to be able to move his family out of his grandmother's house in Tugas, Baliangao, Misamis Occidental.
For the PBA Rookie Draft hopeful, the dream of building a modest house for your family is enough motivation to save every centavo from your allowance as a varsity player.
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“Simula po kasi ng ipanganak ako, nakikitira na ang family namin sa lola ko. Tapos ilang family po kami sa bahay, kasama mga kapatid ng mother ko po,” said the 25-year-old guard. “Kaya pag umuuwi po ako dun, sama-sama po kami sa maliit na kwarto, siksikan talaga.
"Syempre, gusto ko rin po magkaroon kami ng privacy."
To save money, Ynot revealed how he would walk instead of commuting to and from Benilde and ate dinner in carinderias along Taft Avenue. Breakfast and lunch are taken care off by packed food given to varsity players.
That has been his routine since he moved to the Big City from Cebu where he played school ball briefly.
“Dun po ako kumakain sa gabi kasi sa umaga po at tanghali, packed lunch ng Benilde ang kinakain ko,” said Ynot,
As tough college life was, it was nothing new for Ynot who, as a Grade 7 student in Tangub City, worked as a porter carrying steel, cement, and sacks of rice for various stores to help augment the family income.
“Kailangan ko pong gawin yun kasi po yung tatay ko po driver ng ambulance pero madalas wala po siyang labas kaya kung ano naipon sa mga may pasok siya pinagkakasya namin,” he said.
Basketball wasn't part of Ynot's life until he reached 13, encouraged by his Ginebra diehard broher Christian Jade. "Lagi nya sinasabi, ‘Ikaw medyo matangkad ka, mag-aral ka ng basketball, baka andito ang swerte mo, idamay mo na kami."
He played briefly for the University of Southern Philippines Foundation and did well enough to be noticed by San Beda scouts who encouraged him to try out for the Red Lions in Manila.
“Grabe po ang saya ko nun. Kasi unti-unting natutupad pangarap ko, kasi eversince po PBA talaga ang dream ko kasi fan po ako nila Scottie Thompson at Calvin Abueva,” said Ynot, who made it a point to watch Ginebra-Magnolia games since high school.
His big break came when an offer came to play for the Blazers from coach Charles Tiu.
“Dun na po nag-start ang break na hinihintay ko kasi nasa regular starting position ako ni coach Charles (Tiu). Sobrang nakakuha po ako ng kumpiyansa,” he said.
His standout performances for St. Benilde opened opportunities for MPBL teams like Iloilo United Royals, Corsa Tires (winning 2023 MVP in Filbasket), the Davao Occidental Tigers in the PSL and Strong Group in tournaments overseas.
Yet Ynot kept living frugally to save for his family's dream house.
However, before construction of his house could begin, his mother became seriously ill with a colon illness that required a colostomy. That drained the 5-foot-11 guard's savings and he was back to square one.
“Dun po napunta ang lahat ng inipon ko. Naospital si mama. So kailangan ko siya ipagamot. Nanay ko muna bago ang bahay,” he said.
The house will have to wait.
PBA opportunity
After averaging 10.14 points, 5.43 rebounds, 4.29 assists and 1.36 steals per game and earning a Mythical Five selection in the Blazers' run to the NCAA Finals last season, Ynot has set his sights on the PBA Rookie Draft - hopeful that a stint in the pro league will help him finally complete his dream home for his family.
However, Ynot suffered a foot injury in a game against the JRU Bombers. Although he played through it in the NCAA Finals loss to the Mapua Cardinals, the injury has now kept the aspiring PBA rookie from showing his wares in the Draft Combine.
Ynot is naturally frustrated over the missed opportunity to catch the attention of scouts and coaches in the Draft Combine, which is essential for him since he didn't play in a high-profile league and isn't among the top names in the draft pool.
“Hindi po ako maka-participate sa Draft Combine, kasi po naka PRP pa rin ako. It will need a few more weeks to be allowed to play,” he said. "Sobrang frustrated po ako kasi without me playing sa Draft Combine, how can I show them my value?"
Now he's having second thoughts and thinking of foregoing this Sunday's draft. But Tiu has no doubt in his mind that his starting guard at Benilde can be an asset for any PBA team that takes a gamble on him.
“One of the best guards in the NCAA, favorite player ni Rajko Toroman," said Tiu. "Smart, can shoot, slash and defend. I am confident he can be a steal in the PBA draft.”
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