Adducul wants to play for Ginebra

Less than two weeks before the annual PBA rookie draft, former MBA star attraction Romel Adducul is brimming with excitement, savoring the prospect of being picked by Barangay Ginebra — the most popular ballclub in the land.

For Adducul, there’s no better way to enter the PBA than through the Gin Kings.

"Siyempre excited ako, dream ko talaga makapaglaro sa PBA," said Adducul, one of the marquee names in the draft exercise set Jan. 12.

"Wala akong pinipiling team pero kung Ginebra ang kukuha sa akin, mas maganda kasi alam naman nating sila ang pinaka-popular sa PBA," he added.

Aside from the immense popularity and mileage he may get at Ginebra, Adducul is also excited about the prospect of playing alongside the frontline duo of Eric Menk and Jun Limpot.

Adducul told The STAR he won’t mind being picked second behind collegiate phenom Mike Cortez as he looks forward to playing his best in the PBA no matter what happens in the draft.

Alaska Milk intends to use its first round draft rights on Cortez.

"Hindi mahalaga kung pang-ilang pick pa ako, ang iniisip ko na lang makapaglaro at gawin ko ang lahat ng aking makakaya para matulungan ang team na kukuha sa akin," Adducul said.

Adducul, who played for two champion teams in the defunct MBA, has been aching to join the PBA the last two years. His draft application was shelved last year as he failed to get his release papers from the Batangas Blades.

Ed Ponceja, Adducul’s agent-manager, said Barangay Ginebra incidentally first approached them two years back, encouraging Adducul to finally join the PBA.

"Natatandaan ko nung nasa Barangay Ginebra pa si coach Ron (Jacobs) nilapitan niya kami dahil gusto talaga niyang maglaro si Romel kaya lang may commitment pa kami sa MBA noon kaya hindi natuloy," said Ponceja. "Kung wala lang problema kami sa MBA noon baka nasa Ginebra na sana ngayon si Romel.

"Last year naman dapat sa PBA na rin siya kaya lang nagka-problema na naman pero blessing in disguise na rin dahil naka-graduate si Romel ng BS Management sa San Sebastian," he said.

Ponceja said Ginebra coach Allan Caidic has been in touch with them, talking about the possibility of picking Adducul.

"If Alaska picks (Mike) Cortez, it’s 250-percent sure Ginebra will pick Romel," he said.

Ponceja said PBA teams like Talk N Text, Shell and Fedex have been offering Ginebra a trade deal involving the Kings’ No. 2 pick but the coaching staff is holding on to it, firm on getting Adducul.

At Ginebra, Adducul would be reunited with collegiate buddy Banjo Capito and form an awesome frontcourt with Menk and Limpot.