While Racela reunion at TNT is a dream, Jose ready to play for any team

Raymar Jose. PBA IMAGES

Tipped to be picked among the top five in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft, Raymar Jose isn’t ruling out the possibility of reuniting with former coach Nash Racela in TNT.

“If given a chance, why not? He’s my coach in college,” a smiling Jose, who even bumped into his old mentor during the Draft combine, said in Filipino.

Though the odds of Jose falling into the lap of the KaTropa deep into the first round are far-fetched, one couldn’t blame the soft-spoken bruiser for dreaming. After all, it’s under Racela when Jose got his biggest break.

Undersized at center, the 25-year-old had thrived doing the dirty work for FEU which rewarded the Tamaraws with a championship in 2015. What followed was successful stints in the PBA D-League, abroad in Taiwan and Brunei and with the national team.

But despite his sheer advantage in the draft, Jose remains nervous. “I think I did my part. I gave my best in the combine and I believe I’m ready physically and mentally.”

While there’s no denying playing for TNT is on the top of Jose’s wishlist,  the 6-foot-4 bruiser shared that he doesn’t mind whatever team picks him, saying that at the end of the day, he’s just grateful to get to the pros.

“I’m always ready for any team that selects me. My effort won’t change. I’ll always give my best,” he said.