Espiritu, Hayes may pull off a surprise

 

Yet as much as  the talk has been centered on how No. 1 pick Nonoy Baclao and his former Ateneo champion teammate Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Letran’s Rey Guevarra—the  top three overall picks—just might rejuvenate the Air21 Express, there’s one league newcomer who might pull off a surprise.

 

Elmer Espiritu, the former University of the East star selected fourth overall by Alaska, wasted no time in making a good impression on the Aces’ multititled coach Tim Cone.

 

“He is a super athlete,” Cone recently told the Inquirer after the team’s arduous practice session. “He might be the most talented athlete we’ve had since Bong Alvarez.”

 

That’s how high the confidence Cone has in Espiritu, who has the ability to play multiple positions due to his lanky but athletic 6-foot-4 built.

 

But Espiritu knows that it takes a lot of hard work for him to earn his minutes in the professional level especially with a team fresh off a Fiesta Conference championship.

 

“Back in college, I was first a role player or the sixth man, so it’s okay if I don’t get enough playing time,” said the 24-year-old  Espiritu, the former Warriors stalwart known for his defensive skills apart from his high-flying acts. “I’ll work my way up there.”

 

New recruit Marvin Hayes also hopes to make an impression in the league after the Aces drafted the Jose Rizal U cager in the second round.

 

Hayes is one of only two players picked despite standing commitments with their schools in the ongoing NCAA tournament.

 

“You really have to work hard for your spot,” said Hayes, a 6-foot-2 forward. “I’m still adjusting to their system and their plays and getting along with the old players in the team.”

 

An integral part in the Bombers’ title bid this season, Hayes describes his contrasting experience of being a neophyte in an established ball club.

 

“I’m the leader of the team when I’m playing with JRU. Here with Alaska, I’m the one learning from the veterans, so it’s very different,” shared Hayes.   “It’s hard, but it’s okay with me because I’m lucky to be given this opportunity.”

 

Espiritu, too, aims to make the most out of his pro debut.

 

“I’ll contribute more defensively and I have to be aggressive all the time, that’s what coach Tim wants to see from us,” said Espiritu, a former UAAP Mythical team member and Defensive Player of the Year.

 

Immediately after the interview, Espiritu returned to practice and hit a couple of mid-range jumpers, the same old jump shots he knocks down donning a UE jersey.
 
And right then and there, Cone could only look and say, “he’s very, very talented.”