After painful loss, Batang PBA standout Gian Mamuyac arrives in ‘dream league’

No. 5 overall pick in the PBA Draft Gian Mamuyac. PBA IMAGES

Just a few nights ago, Gian Mamuyac fumbled the chance of capping his collegiate career with a UAAP championship.

The Ateneo skipper gained more than a consolation prize on Sunday when he was drafted fifth overall by the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters, where he joins other former Blue Eagles in Mike Nieto and Anton Asistio.

“Two nights ago, I was coming off an emotional loss. I was really sad,” he told reporters shortly after the proceedings at Robinson’s Place Manila in Ermita on Sunday.

Mamuyac and the Blue Eagles saw their three-year reign in the premier varsity league ended by University of the Philippines in a deciding Game 3 that was decided by a last-second triple that forged the Maroons’ 72-69 overtime victory.

Mamuyac certainly has enough reasons to put that painful loss in the rearview mirror as he has actually come full circle in his basketball career, having been a champion standout in the Batang PBA years ago.

“[H]ere I am now, getting drafted into my dream league,” he said. “So happy. I’m excited for whatever comes next.”

On top of being selected fifth out of 66 hopefuls, Mamuyac, a combo guard who can play both ends of the floor, was selected by national cage program director and head coach Chot Reyes as one of the four new additions to the Gilas Pilipinas talent pool.

“It’s one thing to get drafted into the PBA. But I’m so lucky that I was chosen for Gilas,” he said. “I would like to thank coach Chot and the [national federation] for their trust and belief.”

Mamuyac vows to become the learner that he has always been as he embarks on a new chapter in his cage career under Painters coach Chris Gavina.

“Whatever coach asks me to do, I’ll try to do it to the best of my abilities,” he said.

“I’ll also try to help the team in other however may that be,” he added. INQ