Mythical 5 selection boosts Bulanadi’s confidence ahead of PBA Draft

MANILA, Philippines—When Allyn Bulanadi declared for the PBA Draft, he couldn’t help but have doubts on whether he could effectively make the jump from the collegiate and club competitions to the country’s premier basketball league.

Yet for all that negativity, Bulanadi had a solid support system and a strong final collegiate year that pushed his confidence at an all-time high.

Bulanadi was part of the NCAA Season 95 Mythical Team and Basilan, his club team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, has given him its full support en route to the PBA Draft on Dec. 8.

“Basically the Mythical Team award was my ticket to the PBA and of course I’m happy I was able to get that,” said Bulanadi in Filipino. “That award boosts my confidence to play.”

“I’ll always bring that distinction with me.”

Bulanadi, who was even an early frontrunner for the MVP award, was Season 95’s leading scorer, averaging 20.0 points with 5.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists while leading the Golden Stags to the fourth seed with an 11-7 card.

As for his old club team in the MPBL, Bulanadi said his contract with the Steel already ended Nov. 28 but its management still supported him in his decision.

“We talked about my decision to enter the PBA Draft when we went to Basilan and they told me that they will support me every step of the way,” said Bulanadi. “We even talked about the possibility that if I don’t get drafted then Steel would always be my fallback.”