Blackwater draft pick Maurice Shaw. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—For the past decade, the PBA has enjoyed the amiable presence of 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo as its resident dominant big man.
An unfortunate leg injury to the reigning five-time MVP left an immeasurable hole in the league’s landscape not just because of Fajardo’s talent but also the way the gentle giant carried himself on and off the floor.
With Fajardo recuperating from his personal setback, another giant of a man is ready to become the next lovable big in the PBA be it starting with baby steps.
Blackwater center Maurice Shaw, the second overall pick of the 2019 Draft, said he won’t immediately get the same reception as Fajardo but he will do his best to become that play the public will eventually get behind.
“Well, hopefully the PBA loves me because I love being here. I just hope that I can go out there and do the things my team needs,” said Shaw Saturday at Aero Center.
“I hope the fans get to know me and my history. I would love to be that guy but I have a lot of work to do before I put on that title.”
Shaw, 35, had one of the more interesting journeys to the PBA after starting his professional career in 2005 playing and touring with the Harlem Globetrotters before bouncing around in different teams from 2006 to 2017.
The 6-foot-9 big man also worked out for NFL team Oakland Raiders in 2013.
Quite an enigma outside of the basketball circles, Shaw hopes that his “game will do the talking” for him.
“Hopefully they just see me as a hard working big guy who wants to get the job done and they can see that and appreciate that,” said Shaw.