The long wait is over: Boyet Bautista has entered the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)! Among the forty-seven (47) applicants yesterday at the PBA Rookie Draft held at Market! Market! Taguig City, Boyet was chosen by the Purefoods Chunky Giants as the 9th Overall Pick.
Together with Rose, my brother Ronnie, and Boyet’s youngest sibling Bryan, we trooped to the Market! Market! as early as 1230H, to get the best seats available in the activity area of the said mall. As early as that time, that part of the mall area is already jampacked! Finally, fifteen minutes later, we settled ourselves at the left side of the stage, at the rear of the dratee’s parents’ area.
Some forty-five (45) minutes since the draft has started, the name of my cousin has not yet been called. Everyone is nervous, especially his parents. On my part, I cracked jokes to Rose, Ronnie, and Bryan: asking them if Boyet will be picked on the first or second round (a total of 20 hopefuls were picked yesterday: 10 on each round). Then, when Comm. Noli Eala was handed-over with the 9th Overall Picked, and he announced: “The Purefoods Chunky Giants pick as the 9th Overall, Boyet Bautista of Letran!” It was great! I didn’t even knew what was happening around me. To our right side were former high school classmates of Boyet in CSJL, cheering: “Boyet! Boyet! Boyet!” I immediately dialed home (since the event was not telecast live) and informed my dad & mom that finally Boyet was picked before the end of the 1st round.
Thanks to all those who supported Boyet in one way or the other. For all thos who prayed for him, please do continue praying for my cousin. The entire De La Cruz clan is in celebration since yesterday! Mabuhay ka, Boyet Bautista!