Jun Roque out to prove he’s worthy of being a PBA first round pick in return to Letran

Jun Roque admitted he was nervous as he walked down from the parking area and headed into the Music Hall of the SM Mall of Asia.

After all, he had submitted his name for the PBA Rookie Draft despite being out of the NCAA for an entire season due to his fulfilling residency requirements for Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

As it turned out, he was about to receive one of the biggest surprises, perhaps, of his young career.

“‘Di naman ako masyadong nag-expect na ma-pick ako agad,” Roque said on Sunday. “God’s will talaga, kaya ‘ayun."

[I didn't really expect that I would be picked right away. It's really God's will.]

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For NCAA followers, Roque’s name would be familiar as he was once one of the rising stars of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.

Back in Season 99, Roque averaged 12.94 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.06 assists, and 1.44 steals per game. With those numbers, he ranked among the league’s leaders in rebounds and steals.

Still, being out of collegiate competition for a year after his transfer could have hurt his draft stock.

Rain or Shine, though, placed its trust in him with a possible roster spot once the NCAA season ends this year.

“Sobrang saya, kasi ‘yun nga dahil kahit nag-residency ako, nakuha ko pa rin ‘yung tiwala nila,” he said. “Kahit na nag-struggle ako this offseason, nakuha ko pa rin ‘yung tiwala nila.”

[I'm so happy because even if I did residency, I was still able to gain their trust. Even if I struggled this offseason, I was still able to gain their trust.]

However, the draft selection has only added pressure for Roque, who will return to the NCAA with the Knights this season for his final year. In Season 101, Roque wants to prove that he is worthy of being a first-round pick—and of earning his pro contract.

“Actually, mayroon talaga [pressure], kumbaga kasi diyan sila magba-base eh, sa upcoming season na ito, kung bibigyan ba nila ng contract or not. This upcoming season talagang pagbubutihin ko.”

[Actually, there is pressure. This is where they will base it, this upcoming season, if they will be giving me a contract or not. This upcoming season, I will really try to do well.]

Aside from Roque, his fellow Letranites Mark Denver Omega, Deo Cuajao, and Kyle Tolentino were also selected by the Elasto Painters, along with Christian Manaytay, Josh David, Cole Micek, and MJ Dela Virgen.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News