HIS hard work may have paid off, but the real work has begun for Philip Paniamogan.
The undrafted cager was rewarded a one-conference contract at GlobalPort after leading the Batang Pier in a pocket tournament in General Santos two weeks ago.
“Sobrang blessed kasi napagbigyan ako ng chance,” Paniamogan said in a chat with Spin.ph. “Pag pinapasok ako, talagang gino-go hard ka kahit yung ibang teams dun sa Davao hindi ganun (kalakas), one-hundred percent pa rin ako maglaro para makita nila kung ano kaya ko ma-contribute sa team.”
The former Jose Rizal University gunner had started to train with the Batang Pier in the Governors’ Cup, but his signing was derailed when the Mikee Romero-owned franchise signed Palestinian playmaker Omar Krayem as its Asian import in the season-ending conference.
“Ngayon, hindi ko iniisip mag-relax,” added the 24-year-old guard, who emerged MVP in the Manny Pacquiao Cup after leading the Batang Pier to a sweep and the title. “Iniisip ko kung paano mag-excel kahit quality minutes lang.”
Paniamogan should as he transitions from a streak shooting guard to a point guard for the Batang Pier, who have plenty of off guards bannered by Terrence Romeo and Joseph Yeo.
“Maraming dos dito,” the 5-foot-11 guard from Cagayan de Oro said. “Maliit naman ako sa position ko talaga dito kaya tyinaga ko mag-point guard.”
“Mabuti na lang at may nagtuturo sa akin. Okay naman yung kinalabasan,” he added. “Ngayon nakakapagtawag na ako ng play kahit may pressure. At least nag-iimprove na yung point guard skills ko.”
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