A former Batang Gilas cager, Dalph Panopio is among the 128 hopefuls in the PBA Draft set Sunday, Sept. 7.
Dalph Panopio could not help but feel thrilled that he piqued the interest of Ginebra after the Gin Kings asked him to work out with them ahead of the PBA Season 50 Draft combine.
Now, imagine how ecstatic he was to finally meet Ginebra head coach Tim Cone, winner of 25 titles in the league.
“I am super honored. When I first saw him, I shook his hand and I was like, man, I'm really, really happy to meet you because I really admire him,” Panoio told reporters during Day 1 of the Draft Combine Thursday, Sept. 4.
“I watch him all the time with the Gilas and whatever they did. So I was really, really honored to meet Coach Tim and be able to practice and had the chance to try out in Ginebra.”
[ALSO READ: Fajardo, Perez, Cruz get extended rest before joining San Miguel's PBA 50 preparations]
Dalph Panopio in action during Day 1 of the PBA Season 50 Draft Combine | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
A former member of the Batang Gilas, Panopio returned home to join 127 others in this year’s draft.
The Fil-Italian cager brings a wealth of experience with him, having played for the Cal State Bakersfield in the US and then in India before deciding to apply for the Sept. 7 proceedings at the MOA Music Hall.
It was an easy decision for the 25-year-old.
“It was easy, to be honest, because I wanted to be a professional basketball player. And being a Filipino, it really helps me to be a professional here in the Philippines, especially in the PBA,” Panopio said.
“Being born in Italy, and then I had the chance also to play in the States, I feel really lucky na dito po ako makapaglalaro sa PBA and represent my country, play in my country.”
[RELATED STORY: LIST | 128 aspirants apply for the PBA Season 50 Draft]
As a dual citizen, Panopio has options to take his talents elsewhere. But he feels he is right where he belongs now.
“I also have the opportunities and the possibility to play in other countries. But it wasn't hard to choose the PBA. I mean, it's always been an option, you know,” Panopio said.
“And now that I'm here, after I put my name on the draft, it wasn't hard to just enjoy it and keep working for it.”