CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Dylan Ababou was on track to become of one the stars of his generation when he entered the PBA in 2011 as the 10th overall draft pick.
Several injuries, however, derailed his professional and Olympic dreams but all hope is not lost with another opportunity to keep that dream alive albeit in a different circuit.
Ababou is the No. 6 player in the Philippines’ 3×3 circuit and he has a chance to become an Olympian if the country places in the top 3 of the Fiba 3×3 Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament for the 2020 Summer Games.
“Of course I was surprised with this opportunity because what we’ve originally dreamt of was the 2012 London Olympics but the Lord has something better lined up,” said Ababou in Filipino in the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and Chooks-to-Go’s press conference Thursday at Crowne Plaza in Ortigas.
Ababou was part of the original Gilas program formed in 2009, a team that featured the best collegiate players in the country.
The former UAAP MVP out of University of Santo Tomas enjoyed a strong start to his professional career, averaging 11.9 points, 4.7 rebounds on 41 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent from deep in his first conference before the injuries came.
More than a year since his departure from the PBA, Ababou found a new niche playing for Pasig in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3.
“I’m happy because I’m given another chance in life, a new opportunity, and along the way I’ve learned to accept that some things really aren’t for me,” said the 32-year-old Ababou. “There are trials, some are hard, that would come your way but you don’t count how many times you fall down, but how many times you come back up.”
Ababou, who played for seven teams in the PBA, said a return to the professional league isn’t in his mind and that he’s happy to be part of the country’s top 3×3 program.
“I’m happy here,” said Ababou. “You can really feel the love from everyone, I’m at peace here, and I’ll stay here.”