Raymar Jose. PBA IMAGES
Divided in his attention with Gilas Pilipinas and Cignal HD, Raymar Jose knows that he has to give his all whatever jersey he’s wearing.
But the two parties understand that national cause comes first, which meant the hardworking forward missing much of the Hawkeyes’ practices.
Despite his unusual arrangement, Jose still makes it a point to show that he’s all in for both teams.
And what better way for the former FEU stalwart to prove that for Cignal than with his stellar play in the semifinals, uncorking a game-high 24 points and 11 rebounds off the bench to help his side sweep Marinerong Pilipino, 87-64 in Game 2 to book its ticket to the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Finals.
“I knew I had to give my best because I’m unable to attend our practices because I had to go to Gilas. So I make it a point that in the games, I’ll really give my all,” he said in Filipino.
Even coach Boyet Fernandez admits that with Jose largely out of the team’s practice sessions, his hand is forced to keep the bruiser come off the bench. But that didn’t seem to affect the output of the 6-foot-4 forward, doing it all for the Hawkeyes as he averaged 20.5 points and 9.5 rebounds through the course of the semifinals.
“I’m really thankful for Raymar. He’s pulling a double duty and he still gives his all no matter what,” said the mentor.
Gilas Pilipinas is set to leave for Kuala Lumpur in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games on Friday and with the finals set to start next week, after CEU extended their semis against Flying V, Jose will miss the championship series.