AMONG the 70 draftees, Peter Alfaro is the only player that has PBA experience - albeit unofficially.
Alfaro played for TNT during the PBA on Tour last year, an exhibition tournament created during the offseason, months into the lead-up to the country’s hosting and participation in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
To fill roster spots temporarily left by Gilas Pilipinas players, the PBA allowed teams to sign up free agents, members of their 3x3 teams, and college players, and Alfaro was one of those signed.
The 5-foot-11 guard eventually decided to play one more season with San Beda in the NCAA before turning pro, but acknowledges that it's his stint with the Tropang Giga that left an indelible mark on him.
“Nakatulong talaga ‘yun kasi na-feel ko how the PBA plays ‘yung schemes nila, ano ang gusto ng mga coaches sa mga rookies, especially ‘yung ang gusto nila kapag nasa loob ng court, dapat quality minutes, and at the same time, being a star sa role mo sa team," he said.
“At the end of the day, ‘yung decision-making mo sa loob ng court is very important. Ang crucial talaga doon, ‘yung nakakabasa nang tama sa loob ng court, making good reads, and making good decisions.”
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Alfaro is also looking to replicate the feat of his father Pedro, who played six games with CFC Presto in the 1976 season.
“I want to make my own path to the PBA knowing na magandang challenge for me. At the same time, ine-embrace ko ‘yung challenge kasi alam ko na doon ako mag-gogrow. I’m happy na simula high school ako, nasa San Beda ako, hanggang college, nakapag-champion ako," he said.
“Feel ko naman, I’m at the right step sa basketball career ko in terms of following my dad’s footsteps. At the same time, gusto ko ma-pave ‘yung own path ko coming to the PBA."
Gains from The Asian Tournament
Aside from his PBA on Tour stint, Alfaro is also banking on his experience playing in The Asian Tournament (TAT) - a fledging regional continental league - to be able to make an immediate impact for whatever team, hopefully, drafts him.
“For me, that stint with TAT really helped me kasi coming to that league fresh from the NCAA championship, hindi na ako nag-rest. At the same time, kalaban ko sila Alex Cabagnot, Sam Deguara, Sedrick Barefield, and some NCAA Division 1 playing as imports," he said.
“Sa NCAA, walang imports masyado. Dito, I think very good exposure for me especially as a point guard. I think nakapagsabayan naman ako sa numbers ko nung nasa TAT ako.”
“It was a blessing to be there. Kaya nagpapasalamat din ako sa TAT at sa Zamboanga Valientes sa opportunity na kinuha nila ako,” he added.
The 25-year-old said playing for TNT again would be a perfect scenario for him, especially since Jimmy Alapag and Jayson Castro were some of the players he idolized when he was young.
“Nung nandoon ako, na-feel ko rin ‘yung sense of community na parang nafi-feel ko sa San Beda. Siyempre, gusto ko rin talaga sa TNT na mabigyan nila ako ng opportunity to represent the organization. I’m going to give my 100 percent. This is my dream and hindi ko hahayaang mawala ‘to sa kamay ko,” he said.
Whether it's for TNT or another team, however, Alfaro vowed to do all in his power to prove worthy of a draft selection.
“For me, being a steady point guard, being reliable, being able to execute plays, being able to focus on defense, being a leader inside the court kahit bata ako, good decision-making and making good reads, and knocking down shots kapag kailangan, ‘yun ang pinakaimportante na mabibigay ko sa table sa team na kukuha sa akin,” he said.
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