Barako Bull rookie Fortuna looking to learn from veteran teammates

Jeric Fortuna file photo

MANILA, Philippines—Like most rookies, Jeric Fortuna is just trying to learn the ropes.

But unlike many, Fortuna finds himself by his lonesome as he tries to fit in being the only active rookie in Barako Bull’s veteran-laden lineup.

“I look at it in a positive way that I’m playing with veteran players. At least I can learn a lot in practice, I see the things they do and try to do the same,” said Fortuna after playing his first PBA game Wednesday night.

“I just try to pick up things from them as much as I can,” Fortuna, the former ABL reserve with the San Miguel Beermen, added.

Fortuna, a heady playmaker with a decent outside shooting, sat on the bench for three quarters as waited patiently for his time to come.

“I didn’t expect to play earlier but I always make sure I’m ready when called upon.”

With veteran guards Willie Miller, Denok Miranda and Jonas Villanueva, Fortuna knows he won’t have much playing time for now as he works his way up, but as Barako Bull’s lead over Air21 continued to grow, Fortuna had the sense that he would have the opportunity to take off his warmer and burn some rubber at least for a few minutes.

“I expected that I was going to play. When I was still on the bench, I was already psyching myself.”

Fortuna’s time finally came and after a few minutes of perhaps getting used to the PBA atmosphere, he scored his registered his first points as a pro on a shot-clock beating jumper from the left elbow at the 3:06 mark of the fourth period to give his team an 85-63 lead.

“I just want to do my job. I’m just ready and focused. I want coach to think I’m a reliable player,” said Fortuna, who finished with two points and two rebounds in eight minutes of action.

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