JM Calma could not hide his excitement about his looming debut in the PBA, where he would be facing two of the most prominent products of his alma mater, San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
The 6-foot-6 forward was selected sixth overall by NorthPort, where he will team up with other NCAA graduates in Robert Bolick, Jerrick Balanza, and Clint Doliguez.
But while playing alongside his former foes thrills him, Calma said he is looking forward to playing opposite former Stags Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang of Magnolia, whose play styles served as his inspiration.
Abueva and Sangalang, two of the so-called Pinatubo Trio along with Ronald Pascual, steered San Sebastian to the 2009 title. Abueva was named Season MVP in 2011 and Sangalang bagged the same plum the following year.
Calma added that facing TNT Tropang Giga's Troy Rosario is one of the things he's also looking forward to in the pros.
"Gusto kong makalaban si Ian Sangalang and Troy Rosario. Sila mga idols ko sa PBA. Si Sangalang kasi galing din sa Baste tsaka si (Calvin) Abueva, sila 'yung idols ko tsaka sila 'yung pinapanood ko nung naglalaro pa ako sa Baste," Calma told GMA News Online.
("I want to face Ian Sangalang and Troy Rosario. They are my idols in the PBA. Sangalang is also from baste and also Abueva, they are my idols and I always watched them when I was still playing for Baste.")
However, Calma said he is tempering his expectations as he feels the minutes he will get at Northport might drop compared to his game time during his last season with the Stags.
The 24-year-old baller was the top scorer for San Sebastian in the recent Season 97, where he posted averages of 16.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.0 blocks. These impressive numbers earned him the Mythical Five inclusion as well as the Best Defensive Team.
Knowing he could be among the supporting cast, Calma said he will just give everything he can to help the Batang Pier in its upcoming campaign in the PBA Season 47.
"So balik tayo sa rookie days na screen [at] rebounds lang pero tumitira naman ako pag open. Pero wala 'yung go signal katulad ng sa Baste," he said.
"Kailangan okay 'yung ensayo ko, dapat palagi akong go hard, and dapat pukpok sa ensayo."
("We're back to rookie days where I just have to screen and rebounds but I can shoot when open. But I won't have a go signal like with Baste. My practice should be good, I must always go hard in practice.")
—MGP, GMA News
