Kyt Jimenez fans get opportunity of a lifetime during PBA Draft

Kenneth Cajandab and Michelle Lustado headed to Market! Market! in Taguig in the hopes of seeing their favorite player fulfill his PBA dream.

The said player was Kyt Jimenez, who was among the 124 aspirants who attended the PBA Draft on Sunday.

“Matagal na po akong sumusubaybay kay Kyt,” the 24-year-old Cajandab said of Jimenez, who first gained prominence with Mavs Phenomenal’s Dayo Series.

Lustado, a Barangay Ginebra San Miguel fan, said she is also rooting for Jimenez, but is hoping he would go to the Kings.

“Si Kyt din po gusto kong ma-draft,” said the 25-year-old. “Si Scottie Thompson po idol ko kaso wala ngayon.”

So the couple from Pasig City decided to come four hours early to get a better spot where they can get catch a glimpse of the coaches and players in attendance.

They got that and more.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial gave access to random fans from the Ayala Mall’s activity center and the two just happened to be at the right place and at the right time.

That meant they got to sit in one of the tables during the event where they were only at arm’s length with their hoops idols.

Marcial said starting Sunday, the PBA will choose lucky fans in attendance and bring them to seats next to the bench during games.

“Pinuntahan kami dito ni comm [Marcial]. Sabi mag-enjoy daw kami at kuha daw kaming pagkain,” Cajandab said.

And enjoy they did.

They were lucky enough to get selfies from the players without having to go through a sea of supporters eager to get a picture with their idols.

That included Jimenez, who was drafted 76th overall by the San Miguel Beermen. Terrafirma Dyip, meanwhile, tabbed Stephen Holt with the first overall pick while former Butler Bulldog Christian David wound up second. 

But while Cajandab and Lustado—fans of Magnolia and Ginebra, respectively—had the time of their lives, they will turn into each other’s hecklers again when the season unfurls on November 5. 

(GM)