SOME players shine early and stay steady until Father Time catches up with them. Others get rerouted mid-career, forced to find new paths.
But a rare few—like TNT guard Almond Vosotros—get a second shot at 35 years old.
Once a mainstay in the 3x3 circuit, Vosotros is proving himself reliable, too, on the full court, just in time when a Grand Slam-seeking franchise needs him the most.
And no, he's not just filling in for injured Jayson Castro, Rey Nambatac, and Simon Enciso. He's delivering the goods whenever he steps onto the court - three games in a row, to be exact, in this Philippine Cup Finals.
“Honestly, no, I just keep on working hard and lagi akong nagpe-pray para ‘pag dumating ‘yung opportunity, ready ako,” he answered when asked by SPIN.ph if he saw this coming.
This, being contributing 9.3 points, 2.0 triples, and 1.0 rebounds through three games in the best-of-seven title series the Tropang 5G presently trail, 2-3.
READ: TNT stands defiant, mauls SMB to extend PBA Finals to a Game Six
It took Vosotros a decade since being drafted 13th overall in 2015 to finally play minutes that matter.
And for that, he is nothing but grateful to Tropang 5G coach Chot Reyes and the franchise he led to six championships in PBA 3x3, where he sharpened his instincts which he's now putting on full display on the biggest stage and under the brightest lights.
As he put it, “Unang-una, ayokong masayang ‘yung opportunity at trust ni coach Chot. Bibihira ‘yung mabigyan ng second chance.
"Sa totoo lang, sa lahat ng experience ko sa 5-on-5, ngayon lang ako nabigyan ng minutes since nagpa-draft ako. Ngayon, I’m playing in the finals.”
Vote of confidence in Vosotros
Time may not necessarily be on Vosotros’ side, but he’s hopeful his current contributions will continue making a case for another contract - and even more playing time.
“I signed for two months only, until itong July lang,” he said. “Of course [hopeful na ma-sign ulit]. Kung ano ‘yung nasa harap ko, ‘yun lang focus ko for now.”
The job is far from done, especially with TNT still face-to-face with mighty San Miguel and one loss away from elimination, but Vosotros is determined to help bring the Tropang 5G all the way to an elusive Grand Slam.
After all, TNT isn’t just his team—it’s his home.
Vosotros shared: “I have two kids na lumaki na sila sa TNT. ‘Yun yung motivation ko na nabigyan ako ng second chance, and parang sinasabi ng mga anak ko na na-sad sila nung nawala ako, pero nung nakabalik, sobrang happy.”
“Kaya hangga’t kaya kong makatulong sa team, gagawin ko,” he added.
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