Gilas experience gives Abu Tratter edge in PBA Draft

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Abu Tratter has had a long road to the PBA but he picked up some valuable knowledge along the way.

After becoming a UAAP champion with De La Salle University, Tratter then made his way into the international scene when he was chosen to be part of the Philippine national team pool that played in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifier.

Tratter was part of the Gilas squad that went up against the Australian national team losing 84-68 in Melbourne back in February of 2018.

And it was in this international tour of duty that Tratter learned from PBA stars like Juner Mar Fajardo and Gabe Norwood.

“I think it allowed me to kind of pick up some ideas and thoughts on how to come about making basketball a job for me,” said Tratter. “I was taking all the advice from the older cats like Gabe or watching June Mar work.”

“It helps me to stay focused on what I’m going to do next level.”

Tratter is also the tallest player in the draft standing at a shade over 6-foot-5 and this size of his makes him a valuable asset for any team.

Tratter, however, isn’t worried about the hype that may surround him, saying he’s just concerned with helping the team that picks him up.

“I don’t want to say I’m the best big,” said Tratter. “The ‘best big man’ label is just hearsay so I’m not really entertaining it and I’ll just work to show my capabilities and see where it goes from here”

“I’m not going to say I’m the best but I’m comfortable in my ability coming into the Draft.”