Paolo Taha. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
After a promising rookie year in Mahindra, Paolo Taha is seeking to sustain that groove as he joins Ginebra.
“Thankful lang ako na napunta ako dito. Once in a lifetime opportunity ito kasi di naman lahat napupunta sa Ginebra. Blessed lang talaga na mapunta ako under coach Tim (Cone),” he said.
Taha is humbled to be a part of the Gin Kings, which are coming off a confidence-boosting triumph in the 2016 Governors’ Cup. But what he looks forward to more than anything is being mentored by some of the league’s elite guards in the Ginebra camp.
“Excited to learn ako from the best lalo na sa mga coaches and teammates ko,” he said, mentioning guys like LA Tenorio, Jayjay Helterbrand, and assistant coach Olsen Racela who have helped him so far in his short time with the squad.
It also helps that the 25-year-old is confident that he can easily make the adjustment, especially with his former coach Richard del Rosario part of Cone’s coaching staff.
“Sya yung nag-recruit sa akin sa St. Benilde at alam na nya yung laro ko,” he shared.
Taha knows he’s starting from scratch in Ginebra, but vowed to do everything he can to help the team prove that its recent conquest isn’t just a one-off.
“Talagang ang goal ko dito is to maximize every opportunity, so kung anong ibigay, trabaho lang,” he said. “Defense, hustle, kahit anong ipagawa sa akin, basta lang makatulong ako sa team, masaya na ako.”