JC Intal.
For veteran forward JC Intal and rookie Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, being part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool is no less than a dream come true.
Intal, who is on his eight season in the PBA, thought having the opportunity to represent the country had passed him by. He never thought the chance of a lifetime will come at this stage of his career.
“At first, I couldn’t believe it,” Intal said. “I’m going into my ninth year in the PBA next season then I got a call from Gilas and it gave me goosebumps and I couldn’t explain the feeling. I’m just so happy and honored and privileged to be part of this.”
The 31-year-old Intal is coming off one of his better seasons in the PBA as part of the leaders of Barako Bull while Rosser, the hardworking Talk ’N Text forward, had quite a first year in the league after finishing second in the Rookie of the Year race after Globalport’s Stanley Pringle.
“I’m honored to just have the opportunity to be here. There are so many great players in the Philippines and to make the pool is already a dream come true in that sense,” Rosser told INQUIRER.net after Gilas’ first official practice ended Monday night.
Both Intal and Rosser are using the chance to learn from veteran players like Asi Taulava, Sonny Thoss and Dondon Hontiveros to name a few and improve under the guidance of some of the country’s best coaches in Norman Black, Jong Uichico and Tab Baldwin among others.
Matt Ganuelas-Rosser goes through some drills. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
“So far my whole time in the Philippines, I just try to be a sponge and learn as much as I can from all these guys either basketball or off the court stuff. All these guys have taken me under their wings. It’s a good learning experience and I take everything that they give me and I take it really seriously,” said Rosser.
“This experience will give me a lot of confidence next season when the all-Filipino Cup opens,” Intal said.
Whether or not Intal and Rosser end up in the final 12 for a chance to showcase their talents in the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship in China next month, being part of the pool is already an experience both will never forget.
“Dreams do come true and right now, I still can’t believe it that I’m wearing this jersey with Gilas Pilipinas on my chest. I’m just very thankful to be invited,” Intal said.
“It’s the best thing that has happened to my career,” Rosser said. CFC