Columbian determined not be just another ‘checkmark’ for other PBA teams

Columbian players Rashawn McCarthy, Eric Camson and JayR Reyes. Photo by Mark Giongco

Rashawn McCarthy has had enough losing and he believes the time has come for Columbian to finally turn things around in the upcoming 2019 PBA Season.

The Dyip, who have dwelled at the bottom of the standings since joining the league in 2014, chalked up another forgettable season last year where they won only six games out of the possible 33.

And all the losing has lit a fire in McCarthy’s belly.

“I’m super motivated. Last year was tough, we don’t wanna have a repeat that’s why we’re here early while the finals was still going on just to get the early work in and try to improve from what we did last year and not take step backwards,” McCarthy said after Wednesday’s practice at Azure Urban Resort Residences in Parañaque City.

The 29-year-old guard, who is coming off a breakout year in his first season with the Kia franchise after being traded by San Miguel Beer as part of the controversial deal that sent the rights to the 2017 top overall pick to the Beermen, is determined to erase Columbian’s stigma of being pushovers after a string of losing seasons.

“We just don’t wanna be a checkmark on someone’s schedule,” McCarthy said.

“A lot of teams look at us at the beginning of the year when they get the schedule, they see Columbian and they see it as an easy game. We don’t want it to be like that. We just wanna go out and fight and be competitive every night.”

The arrival of CJ Perez is a major reason for Columbian to feel good about itself ahead of the new season.

Perez, the do-it all guard, was the top overall pick by the Dyip in the 2018 PBA Draft and his addition is certainly a much-needed shot in the arm for a struggling franchise.

“He gives us energy, especially in the open court. He’s young, strong and fearless,” said veteran forward Eric Camson in Filipino.

This early, Camson already noticed some changes in the team mentally.

“There was a time last year where the relationship between players and coaches weren’t okay from all the losing that we took. It’s normal but if we keep being like that the won’t go anywhere,” Camson said.

“But now it’s different. Now, we’re all on the same direction and we see one another equally. Not one player thinks he’s on a higher level than his teammates even the rookies.”

Columbian gets to show the rest of the league how far they’ve come when it plays defending champion San Miguel Beer on January 18 to open its campaign in the 2019 Philippine Cup.

“The preparations have been really good. We’ve been training really hard and I think we’re in pretty good shape and we’re ready to get the season started,” McCarthy said.

“Definitely, it’s a good test for us. I feel like San Miguel is the measuring stick for everyone, especially in the all-Filipino Cup. They’ve won the last four championships. I just love to play against those guys. those are my guys, I love to compete against those guys, it’s always fun.”