SONNY Estil scored the game-winner with 1.8 seconds left as Barangay Ginebra escaped with a 37-35 win over San Miguel to capture the PBA Season 50 Draft Combine tournament title on Friday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Estil, born in San Luis, Agusan Del Sur, connected on a backdoor play off a pass from Jeff Comia for the game-winner and a fitting end to the two-day pre-draft event. Ljay Gonzales missed a four-pointer in the game's final possession.
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The 24-year-old Estil, who last played for Letran during the preseason collegiate tournament this year before moving the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the MPBL, was later adjudged as the MVP to take home P10,000.
Also part of the Ginebra team that won the P50,000 top prize were Mario Barasi, Mark Denver Omega, Justine Guevarra, Isaiah Africano, John Barba, and DJ Howe.
Estil’s team defeated a San Miguel squad that has projected first-rounder Gonzales, Chris Miller, Christian Manaytay, and CJ Austria.
Estil, who will also take part in the MPBL Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday in Biñan, joined another highly-touted rookie Dalph Panopio, Jun Roque, Barasi, and Ramirez in the Mythical Five. Each player won P5,000.
Estil once played for La Salle Greenhills in high school but only for a year due to the pandemic. He went home to Agusan Del Sur, before going back to Manila to play college ball.
However, Estil found himself transferring from one school to the other and became a journeyman in a college career that included stops at Arellano, College of Saint Benilde, and Perpetual Help.
"Nag-UST sana ako. San Beda dapat," Estil added.
He was later spotted by now Pampanga vice-governor Delta Pineda while playing against them in the Pilipinas Super League, and wound up playing for Letran before turning pro.
“Nung liga ng PSL, kinuha niya ako. Ang team ko noon Pasig tapos nakalaban namin sa championship [game]. Simula 2022 hanggang ngayon, nandoon pa rin ako sa kanya. Hindi niya ako iniwanan,” said Estil.
“Napaka-suwerte,” said Estil after winning the MVP. “Thankful ako kay Lord at sa mga teammates ko at sa opportunity na ‘to na binigay ni Boss Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda.”
Although he is relatively an unknown, Estil hopes that he will be noticed with this Draft Combine MVP.
“Kumpiyansa lang. Ibibigay naman ni Lord ‘yun dahil sa trabaho ko rin. Sanay din ako sa ligang labas,” said Estil.“ Sana may kumuha. Thankful naman tayo doon. Ang pangarap ko talaga mag-PBA.”
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