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    Will McAloney relives unbelievable ride from PLDT inspector to PBA rookie

    Just years ago, Will McAloney is happily retired. Now he's a PBA rookie at NLEX
    Jul 23, 2020
    PHOTO: Jerome Ascano

    WILL McAloney really thought that his playing days were long behind him.

    His stint at Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite was uneventful and he was already content with what he accomplished with University of San Carlos in Cebu.

    After all, he was part of the Warriors side coached by Britt Reroma that captured the 2015 CESAFI championship behind Cameroonian import Shooster Olago.

    To him, he was done.

    "Wala na. After ng (USC), may anak na ako at gusto ko na mag-focus sa family ko. Masaya na ako sa trabaho ko, inspector kami," he told Crossover Podcast.

    McAloney was already hired as a quality assurance inspector for PLDT in Cebu, and the most he has done with the leather was through panalay or ligang labas.

    Not even the founding of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) excited him, noting that his main concern at that time was to provide for his family.

    But teammate Ian Ortega was relentless in prodding him to test his luck with the Cebu squad.

    "Nag-try out siya. Sabi ko ayaw ko na mag-try out sa basketball kasi may family na ako, may anak na ako. Sabi ko gusto ko na mag-focus sa family ko," he said. "Kinabukasan, kinumusta ko yung tryout niya. Sabi niya na hinahanap ako ng coach."

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    Not one to back down from a challenge, the 6-foot-5 big tried to rekindle his love for the sport. And it wasn't long before McAloney made the cut.

    It wasn't all fun and games for him, though, noting: "Nung nag-start ako sa Cebu, ako ang may pinakamababang sahod doon. Sabi ko sa wife ko, try lang natin kasi di natin alam. Lahat ng bagay na nangyayari, may purpose yan eh."

    McAloney kept the faith and eventually got his break following the departure of ex-pros Jondan Salvador and Eric Rodriguez, paving the way for him to slide in a more prominent role upfront.

    "Nagsumikap lang ako, nabigyan ako ng chance at kumpyansa. Nung natanggal yung mga ex-pro namin na big man, sila kuya Jondan tsaka si kuya Eric, naisip ko yun na siguro ito na yung chance na binigay sa akin ni God na magpakita kung anong kaya kong itulong sa team at kaya kong ma-improve pa," he said.

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    McAloney improved along the way, establishing himself as one of the top big men in the regional league.

    Teams also took notice, with Marinerong Pilipino tapping his services for the PBA D-League.

    That only boosted his confidence to test his luck in the PBA.

    "Alam ko mahirap pumasok sa PBA. Eh naging maganda lang ang pinakita ko at marami ang nagsabi na magpa-draft ako. Sa akin lang, ita-try ko lang naman eh. Sabi namin pag hindi na-pick, kitakits na lang sa game. Kung hindi, uwi at balik ako ng Cebu," he said.

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      Much to his surprise, NLEX took a chance on the Fil-Canadian big man and selected him in the second round of the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft. He was since been signed to a short-term deal.

      Even now, McAloney remains in disbelief about the turn of events.

      "Nung tinawag ako, di ako makapaniwala na na-draft ako," the 26-year-old banger said as he now works with the likes of Asi Taulava and fellow Cebuano JR Quinahan.

      "Parang malapit na ako sa pangarap natin. Di ko talaga in-expect yun."

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      PHOTO: Jerome Ascano
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