PBA hopeful Fran Yu. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Fran Yu is hoping that his stint with NorthPort in the PBA On Tour would provide valuable experience before throwing his name in the big league’s Rookie Draft in September.
The former Letran star was one of a few non-PBA players who were signed to take part in the two-exhibition series which would give Fran an early look of what’s in store moving forward.
“That’s why I wanted to play [in the PBA On Tour] because of the chance to make myself ready once I enter the PBA,” Yu said in Filipino after NorthPort’s 97-89 loss to Meralco on Wednesday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
It was Yu himself who asked Batang Pier coach Bonnie Tan, who was his mentor as part of Letran’s NCAA three-peat run, if he can suit up for the series after the league allowed teams to sign amateurs who are set to join the Draft.
Yu asked Tan during Letran’s trip to South Korea which was the reward given to the Knights following their successful NCAA run.
The 2019 NCAA Finals Most Valuable Player opened his On Tour with five points on 1-of-4 shooting in 20 minutes.
“The physicality [in the PBA] is different, but I think that I will eventually get used to it,” he said. “I also have to bulk up so that I can keep up with the veteran players.”
The PBA stint is part of a busy schedule for Yu, who a day after donning the NorthPort jersey suited up for PSP in a double-overtime loss to Centro Escolar University in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.