Kyt Jimenez out to use Zamboanga stint to revive pro career

Kyt Jimenez' time with San Miguel may have ended prematurely, but the flashy guard is using everything he learned from the Beermen in his current endeavors. 

The 5-foot-11 playmaker is now part of the Zamboanga Valientes, who are among those who will represent the Philippines in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship this week, and he hopes his time with Zamboanga can help him revive his professional career wherever that may be. 

"Sobrang laking tulong [ng San Miguel sa akin], lahat sila, coaching staff, management, and ‘yung mga kuya ko do’n. On and off the court, sobrang laki ng tulong nila sa akin," Jimenez told GMA News Online on Tuesday during the team's media day in Mandaluyong.

Jimenez, a product of University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in the NCAA, was signed to a two-year contract by San Miguel in September 2023 after being picked 76th overall in the Season 49 Rookie Draft. 

He played sparingly for a stacked Beermen roster and once suffered an injury during his debut game in November 2023. Recently, he was released by the Beermen and placed on the unrestricted free agency list. 

Now taking on his first-ever international campaign, Jimenez vowed to leave it all out as he looks to make it to the PBA again or any other opportunities out there someday. 

"Sobrang excited kasi irerepresent natin ‘yung Pilipinas, ang Zamboanga. So kailangan talagang ibigay ‘yung best mo. Hindi basta-basta ‘yung mga makakalaro so hindi mo pwedeng sayangin ‘yung spot na binigay sa’yo at ‘yung opportunity," he added.

"Siguro hindi muna ako magfofocus sa iba. Kung nasaan ako ngayon, doon lang muna ako magfofocus kasi ito ‘yung pwedeng magbigay sa akin ng opportunity, na makapagbukas ng ibang pinto na makalaro sa ibang teams."

—JKC, GMA Integrated News