Caelan Tiongson, taking part in for Sturdy Group Athletics within the Jones Cup, is without doubt one of the aspirants on this 12 months’s PBA Rookie Draft. –SGA PHOTO
Caelan Tiongson as soon as put aside his basketball profession for an everyday job again in the US, however is now taking a look at taking the following step of taking part in within the PBA.
“It looks like a long-time coming,” stated Tiongson, seen as one of many early names to be known as within the PBA Rookie Draft on Sunday at Glorietta in Makati Metropolis.
Tiongson, 32, is projected to be an early first-round choose owing to his spectacular credentials of taking part in within the defunct Asean Basketball League and Taiwan’s T1 League.
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However there was a time when Tiongson, identified for enjoying the small ahead and energy ahead positions, had determined to name it quits after taking part in for Alab Pilipinas within the ABL again in 2019.
“I used to be simply serious about being residence with my household after among the hardship of taking part in basketball abroad,” stated Tiongson.
He recalled taking a gross sales job within the US, earlier than deciding to take one other shot at a hoops profession by taking part in for Taiwan’s Taoyuan Leopards in 2021.
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It was with the Leopards that Tiongson was in a position so as to add some points to his recreation.
“I used to be truly taking part in for a younger workforce, in order that they requested loads from me,” he stated. “I’m a workforce participant who can play throughout the system. However in Taiwan, they requested me to attain loads so I used to be in a position to develop that a part of my recreation.”
Now Tiongson seems to be to deliver these expertise into the PBA, a league he holds with excessive regard.
“I feel it’s gonna be a aggressive league, for certain,” he stated. “I like the delight, I like the fanbase that comes with every workforce. So I’m anticipating to have numerous enjoyable.”
