SONNY Estil will be a rotation player for Barangay Ginebra, according to head coach Tim Cone as the rookie is making strides in preparation for the PBA 50th Season.
The No. 11 pick in the Season 50 Draft recently signed a one-year deal with the Gin Kings after leaving a mark during the preseason build-up, as observed by the multi-titled tactician himself.
Cone also thinks that the 24-year-old Estil’s style of play will endear him to the Barangay Ginebra fans.
READ: Sonny Estil officially a ka-Barangay after signing first PBA deal
“I’m excited about him. I’m real excited about Sonny,” Cone said of the Agusan Del Sur native. “He’s been playing a lot of time in our practice games. He’s been the leading scorer in one of our games. He is a player and he is going to start the season as a rotation player so it’s exciting to have him.”
“He’s got really nice size, long arms, big hands. He can play inside or out. Great offensive rebounder. And I think he is going to be a fan favorite for the Ginebra fans.”
He also shared that the 6-foot-3 Estil’s ability to drive to the basket is somewhat similar to Rain or Shine guard Adrian Nocum, albeit taller by three inches, and two years younger.
“I don’t want to compare him this young, but kind of like, in many ways, a Nocum in terms of the way he plays, the way he gets to the rim, and some of the things that he does.”
Estil drew attention from the Barangay Ginebra camp after the PBA Draft Combine where he played for the Gin Kings, won the championship in the mini-tournament, and captured the MVP.
Estil has already noticed the added attention ever since being drafted by Ginebra, describing in the PBA Media Day last Friday that his Facebook news feed now contains his face most of the time.
“He should be exciting. He’s an exciting player,” said Cone.
Estil was added to the Gin Kings roster as part of their effort to fill roster spots after LA Tenorio transferred to Magnolia to become a playing head coach, and Jamie Malonzo moved to Japan and sign with Kyoto Hannaryz in the B.League.
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