GOOD things happen when you least expect it was just proven true for University of the East, which found its new promising starting point guard… When it wasn't even looking for him.
Drayton Caoile, the Red Warriors' one-and-done playmaker, wasn't recruited, nor was he even on Recto's radar - even with first-year head coach Chris Gavina's close ties with Fil-Am talents.
"Basically, I bought a ticket out here and me and my agent were kinda just going around, watching different teams in Filoil [Preseason]. I had no plans. I bet on myself and just went for it," the 6-foot guard from Oregon shared with SPIN.ph.
"After one UE game in Filoil, I introduced myself to coach Chris. He told me to come to a practice to try out and I kept showing up, kept working. We made it a done deal after a week or two."
Caoile last played for Corban University in Oregon where he averaged 9.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists; solid numbers all-around, but far from making him a sought-after recruit.
Admittedly, Gavina hadn't even heard his name - until he introduced himself.
"Basically, he was our Justin Brownlee," he beamed, referring to how the legendary import wasn't necessarily Ginebra's first choice back in the 2016 PBA Governors' Cup, only to turn himself into the greatest reinforcement of all time, as well as Gilas Pilipinas' beloved naturalized player.
"I didn't even know who he was. I never saw video of him. No one introduced me to him. But when he came to practice, I was like, I think you're a godsend right now. I'm a firm believer everything happened for a reason."
And with that, UE now has a steady hand at the point to take away the big burden from the shoulders of second-year playmaker Nico Mulingtapang, who was Gavina's starter for most of the preseason.
Even better, Gavina has full faith that his 'godsend' of a guard will allow the Red Warriors to keep pace with the UAAP's top teams.
As he put it, "The point guard position is the most heralded in the UAAP. You got [La Salle's Kean] Baclaan, [La Salle's Jacob] Cortez, [University of Santo Tomas' Forthsky] Padrigao, [National U's Steve Nash] Enriquez. So I knew I needed the head of my snake and that's Dray."
"His maturity and experience of playing at a high level in the U.S. has already shown. And guys follow him. He takes a great level of accountability on what he's responsible for and I've loved him ever since he came to us."
Drayton's not so green
For his part, Caoile is looking forward to being the proverbial 'head of the snake' for the red-and-white, which remains mired in the longest active playoff drought in the league.
"It's always nice to be part of something that's building. Coach's first year here and to be part of it is a gift, a blessing. I'm excited to start the foundation in UE," said the full-blooded Filipino, whose first trip to the Philippines was back in the 2017 NBTC National Finals.
"I'm excited just to continue to play basketball and chase a championship with my guys."
All in all, just as Caoile had no plans on exactly what to do and where to go, UE had no plans of starting a one-and-done player at point guard. But sometimes, having no plan is the best plan.
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