Amid high expectations, Tolomia wants to earn team’s trust first

Mike Tolomia after Rain or Shine’s tune up game vs Blackwater. Photo by Randolph Leongson

Expected to fill in the big shoes left by Paul Lee, rookie Mike Tolomia doesn’t want to get too pressured with the expectations as he begins his professional career with Rain or Shine.

“Nakakapressure, pero syempre di naman agad yun mangyayari,” he said. “It’s a long process, pero pagtatrabahuhan ko yun kung yun ang expectations nila sa akin.”

What Tolomia wants to address first is his adjustment to the style of play in the PBA, something which he has already had a glimpse of when he was still in the collegiate level.

“Konting adjustment na lang, pero nasanay na rin naman ako dahil nung nasa FEU naman ako, nakaka-tuneup na rin naman ako ng PBA teams,” he said.

Seeing how the 23-year-old playmaker has fared in the amateurs, Elasto Painters coach Caloy Garcia believes Tolomia has what it takes to lead the team and be among the league’s elite playmakers.

The 5-foot-11 guard, however, wants to temper everyone’s expectations as he hopes to find his niche first in Rain or Shine’s loaded roster.

“Alam ko namang bago ako pumasok, yung Rain or Shine malakas na team talaga. Ako lang yung rookie na pick nila, so di naman ako nage-expect ng mataas na minutes. Syempre kailangan ko rin i-earn yung trust ng team ko,” he said.

Tolomia will be sharing the backcourt alongside Chris Tiu, Jericho Cruz, Maverick Ahanmisi, and snipers Jeff Chan and James Yap in the Elasto Painters camp.