ROOKIE free agent Peter Alfaro has found a home at Magnolia.
Although Alfaro is not yet officially signed to a contract, coach Chito Victolero disclosed the point guard out of San Beda will be given a slot in the Hotshots’ roster for the coming season-opener PBA Governors’ Cup.
Victolero said the Hotshots will be needing the services of Alfaro as first-round draft pick Jerom Lastimosa continues to recover from his ACL surgery.
“Sa amin na yun (Alfaro) kasi nga injured si Jerome (Lastimosa). One conference siya mawawala,” said the Magnolia coach.
Alfaro will be signed to a full-season contract.
“Hindi pa formal pero papunta na run,” added Victolero.
Alfaro suited up for TNT in last season’s pre-season PBA On Tour, but skipped applying for the draft and played out one more year with San Beda where he helped the Red Lions regain the NCAA men’s basketball championship.
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Shortly after his NCAA stint, he signed with the Zamboanga Valientes in The Asian Tournament to keep himself in playing condition heading to the Season 49 draft.
The son of former PBA player Pedro Alfaro was picked in the third round (No. 27 overall) by Terrafirma, but failed to come to terms with the Dyip, making him a rookie free agent.
It just so happened that Magnolia was in need of an additional player in the backcourt pending Lastimosa’s current health situation.
“Naghahanap kami ng guard na makakatulong sa amin habang wala pa si Jerome. Nakita namin siya, so pinapunta namin sa practice,” said Victolero.
The Magnolia coach describes Alfaro as a player ‘with a very high basketball IQ.’
“Very efficient yung bata at tsaka galing sa winning culture,” added Victolero, obviously referring to Alfaro’s championship run with the Red Lions.
While Alfaro is very much welcome at Magnolia, Victolero at the same time, tempered his expectations especially with the Hotshots’ backcourt loaded with the likes of Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, Jed Mendoza, and Lastimosa.
“Sinabi naman namin na huwag ganun ang expectations niya. Pero kung mabibigyan naman namin siya ng opportunity to play, nandun naman yun,” said Victolero.
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