MANILA—Rookie Jimbo Aquino watched his first PBA game blow by—from the bench.
And he might have to wait a little longer before he finally shows off the skills that made him one of college basketball’s biggest stars.
In Ginebra’s curtain-raiser against Meralco last Sunday, the eight overall pick from San Sebastian never got the feel of being cheered on by the majority of the 14,000 fans in attendance.
“Sayang nga eh (It’s too bad),” said Aquino, whose Kings dropped to energetic newcomer Meralco, 73-72.
The soft-spoken Aquino, who powered the Stags to a championship last season, admits that he has not had major trouble adjusting to his new team, but he isn’t used to having a star-studded line up like Ginebra’s.
“Most players in my team are star players, so it’s very difficult,” said Aquino, who was named the Finals MVP of the NCAA last season.
And playing the two-three position makes it even trickier, as Aquino would have to share the playing time with mainstays like Willie Miller, Ronald Tubid and Mark Caguioa, who are basically the cornerstone of the Gin Kings’ offense.
“He just has to wait for his time since we have a lot of players in his position,” said Ginebra head coach Jong Uichico.
With seventh pick John Wilson out with a fractured leg and relegated as an unrestricted free agent, Aquino is the only draftee by Ginebra who was signed for a contract this season.
“He (Aquino) just has to be a little more patient. He has to keep on working and hopefully he will get his opportunity,” Uichico added.
Not that Aquino is complaining.
“It’s okay with me. I will just do everything that I can, so I’m ready when they use me,” Aquino concluded.
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