SONNY Estil couldn’t believe that he would end up being selection in the first round of the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft - and, even better, landing in the pro league’s most popular balllcub.
Estil was left in shock when he was picked at No. 11 overall on Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Music Hall despite being out of the radar of most PBA teams until he became the MVP of the Draft Combine tournament.
READ Ginebra drafts Sonny Estil at No. 11, Magnolia picks big man Andrada
The 6-foot-3 small forward entered the PBA draft without a major college credential after transferring from one school to another, his most recent stint being with Letran in this year’s preseason tournament.
Estil later left the Knights and signed with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the MPBL where he is averaging 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds through eight games.
“Nagulat ako na Ginebra, tinawag ako. Siyempre ako kinakabahan ako kanina pa. Hanggang ngayon, kinakabahan pa rin ako,” said Estil.
“Thankful ako kay God sa binigay sa akin. Tatanggapin ko ‘yung opportunity na ‘to. Tatrabahuin ko,” said Estil.
Incidentally, the 24-year-old from San Luis, Agusan Del Sur. played for the Ginebra squad during the Draft Combine tournament and won the MVP after scoring the game-winning shot to lift the Gin Kings to a 37-35 win over San Miguel.
The team was coached by Olsen Racela and Estil said that the instructions of theGinebra assistant coach was play with a lot of energy on both ends.
Estil said he just followed what Racela said, and felt like that boosted his chances of being picked by Ginebra.
“Siguro po kasi si coach Olsen talaga, ‘yung gusto niya ‘yung ma-hustle na player kaya go hard ako lagi,” said Estil.
Estil said he still can’t believe that he will have an opportunity to be teammates with the Ginebra stars like Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar.
“Mga kuya ko ‘yun eh. Siyempre, mga idol ko ‘yan. Hindi ko inexpect talaga. Sa practice papakita ko na lang best ko,” said Estil.
READ Geo Chiu, Juan Gomez de Liano, Dalph Panopio go 1-2-3 in PBA draft
It has been a whirlwind past few days for Estil. Aside from the two-day PBA Draft Combine, he competed in the MPBL slam dunk competition in the All-Star Game on Saturday in Biñan. But in true NSD fashion, Estil joined anyway despite the aches and pains.
“Grabe ‘yung pagod kahapon. Tight na tight ‘yung muscles ko. Sabi ko nga, ayaw ko na mag-dunk pero ginawa ko pa rin, nakakahiya sa MPBL at kay Boss Gov. (Delta Pineda),” said Estil.
Now that he has a chance to crack the Ginebra roster, Estil said he will display the same hustle that he showed during the PBA Draft Combine.
“Ibibigay ko lang ‘yung hustle lagi at depensa. ‘Yun ang number one kong gagawin… Doon ako kukuha ng pawis talaga,” said Estil.
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