‘The longest freshmen’ rate themselves

This season is unusual for the PBA, not only for the unique choice to have imports with unlimited height, but also because of the changes in the schedule. The players drafted in 2004 are still technically rookies, held in that position for an extra six months, as the league decided to adjust its season schedule.

Given a longer than average time to reflect and adapt to playing in the pros, The STAR spoke with some of the highly-touted blue chip prospects from last year’s draft, and asked them to give themselves a bare-faced, honest appraisal. Did they feel deep down that they were ready to move up?

"Right off the bat, no," admits Shell’s top pick, Rich Alvarez. "Because when I as in college, I still looked up to these guys; they were all big and strong. It took me a while to adjust, to be honest."

"After playing five years for Ateneo and a couple of years in the PBL, I think I was ready to play in the PBA," says Alvarez’s UAAP teammate Wesley Gonzales, who was picked ninth overall by the FedEx Express. "I had enough time to ripen."

"Well, my coaches and teammates are helping me," declares Marc Pingris, selected by the Express after Shell picked Alvarez and Purefoods took James Yap. "They helped me get ready for the PBA."

"I was prepared," says Sta. Lucia’s first-round pick, Nelbert Omolon, drafted eighth. "I played a long time in the amateurs, and, at my age, I’m ready."

Of course, you can’t always say you’ll be prepared for everything that comes along. The rookies knew they were up against bigger, stronger, more experienced rivals, both across the floor and on their own teams. What was their most glaring adjustment?

"This is the PBA, this is the professional league. Everyone’s a superstar," Alvarez gushes. "No matter who you go against, every night, it’s going to be tough competition. I’m still adjusting to the small forward position. I used to play power forward, but I’m too small now. I’ve got to work on my shooting. Teams will take advantage of me because of that. That’s a big one."

"In the PBL, it’s more on skills," says Sta. Lucia forward Ricky Calimag, a rookie free agent who just joined the league a few weeks ago, testing his talent with the RP Cebuana Lhuillier team first, where he became the team’s leader. "In the PBA, it’s more of a physical game, and you should always be thinking. The game is very scientific. And as a rookie, I’m not getting as many minutes, because we have a big import."

"I have to get used to the banging inside," Gonzales concurs. "In terms of speed, it’s almost the same. I have to learn how to dribble better with my left. I have to learn a lot to play against the experienced guys, to make my game match their game."

"In the PBA, you have to do the plays first, not do things on your own," Pingris adds. "And you have to make your body stronger. When I was in the PBL, I wasn’t really doing weights. I even ask help from Renren (Ritualo, FedEx’s top shooter) every practice, to work on my shooting. I myself see that’s what I need. I have to work harder. If I do, I know someday, I’ll get it."

"They’re really strong here," admits Omolon, who, along with Pingris, topped the vertical leaping test at the PBA Rookie Camp last year. "And they play more as thinking players, not just using their strength. I need more work with my dribbling and shooting. But I know those things can be learned."

"All the players who come to the PBA now are bigger," Calimag elaborates. "That’s a big adjustment. I really have to learn more how to be scientific."

"I want to be a more complete player, play inside and out," Alvarez says. "And be more offensive-minded, but pretty much better all-around."

At least they have an extra six months before the next batch challengers come along.