Barangay Ginebra’s Jeremiah Gray. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—After an injury that kept him in the freezer for months, Jeremiah Gray’s has come so far in just a short amount of time.
The Barangay Ginebra standout is slowly turning into one of the club’s dependables and a fitting complementary piece to high-leaping forward Jamie Malonzo.
And just recently, he got his first Gilas Pilipinas call-up, joining 27 others—a bevy of whom also from the Gin Kings—for the talent pool from which the Southeast Asian Games “Redeem Team” to Cambodia will be built.
“I’ve always wanted to play for Gilas, and the fact that I’m given the opportunity right now, you know, coming off my injury, just an amazing feeling, for sure,” he told reporters on Sunday.
“Just happy they trust me to even be a part of the pool,” added the 26-year-old rookie, picked 2nd overall by the Terrafirma during the last Draft.
Gray said the news was broken to him by his uncle. His celebration, however, was short-lived as he remembered where he is now in his pro career.
“I still gotta make the team, though. Still gotta make it,” he pointed out.
“Our focus right now is on the playoffs, and then when the time comes, we’ll definitely get to focus on that,” he added.
Ginebra is currently leading sister team San Miguel Beer in the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals. The crowd darlings, defending champions of the third conference, are now just a win away from another Finals appearance.