Caelan Tiongson, taking part in for Sturdy Group Athletics within the Jones Cup, is without doubt one of the aspirants on this yr’s PBA Rookie Draft. –SGA PHOTO
Caelan Tiongson as soon as put aside his basketball profession for an everyday job again in the USA, however is now taking a look at taking the subsequent step of taking part in within the PBA.
“It appears like a long-time coming,” mentioned Tiongson, seen as one of many early names to be referred to 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 taking part in 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 fascinated with being residence with my household after among the hardship of taking part in basketball abroad,” mentioned 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 facets to his recreation.
“I used to be truly taking part in for a younger group, in order that they requested rather a lot from me,” he mentioned. “I’m a group participant who can play throughout the system. However in Taiwan, they requested me to attain rather a lot so I used to be in a position to develop that a part of my recreation.”
Now Tiongson seems to carry these expertise into the PBA, a league he holds with excessive regard.
“I believe it’s gonna be a aggressive league, for positive,” he mentioned. “I like the satisfaction, I like the fanbase that comes with every group. So I’m anticipating to have a variety of enjoyable.”
