San Miguel’s Arnold Van Opstal. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
As if San Miguel needed another man to get more taller, the Beermen came away with Arnold Van Opstal in the Gilas round of the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft on Sunday.
But there’s a reason to head coach Leo Austria’s choice.
“You cannot teach height,” explained Austria, who plans to train the La Salle center alongside three-time MVP June Mar Fajardo.
“Naging successful kami dahil kay June Mar, so probably, he will be a back-up for June Mar dahil kakaunti lang ang big man na available sa draft.”
The reigning Coach of the Year is happy to find someone to match dominant Fajardo up with during practices, pegging Van Opstal as a worthy “sparring partner” for the Cebuano giant.
“I think it’s going to be good for June Mar and also good for Van Opstal.”
Austria, though, acknowledges that there still are lots of things the Fil-German rookie has to improve on, an endeavor San Miguel is willing to take.
“Alam naman natin na very raw pa ito, so kailangan mag-mature sya sa amin,” he said, noting that if Van Opstal continues to develop as an elite big man, he’s undoubtedly going to be a force to be reckoned with for the proud franchise.
But there’s no question that the 6-foot-7 Van Opstal would be a welcome development for the Beermen, with veterans Yancy de Ocampo, JayR Reyes, and Gabby Espinas all chipping in to aid Fajardo’s cause down low.
“Sa All-Filipino, naghahanap kami ng ka-partner at reliever for June Mar, so probably, mabibigyan namin si Van Opstal ng minutes,” said Austria. “Pero syempre, depende pa rin yan sa ipapakita nya sa practices. But overall, masaya pa rin naman kami na nakuha namin.”
San Miguel also selected Fil-Am guard Rashawn McCarthy in the regular draft.