Ian should be a King: Manager Pineda longs to see Sangalang playing for Ginebra in pro league

IF Dennis Pineda would have his way, he wants his ward Ian Sangalang to strut on court wearing Barangay Ginebra's red-and-white jersey as soon as possible.

With an eye set on a future career for Sangalang with the popular Kings in the PBA, his longtime manager has advised the San Sebastian star to forego the tryouts for the Smart Gilas 2.0 team bound for two tournaments overseas next month.

“Ngayon kasi ang magandang chance ni Ian para lumaro sa Ginebra,” said Pineda, the former mayor of Lubao, Pampanga and son of governor Lilia who has also guided the careers of other top players like Calvin Abueva and Arwind Santos.

Ginebra owns Air21's first-round pick next year which, given the way things are going this season, could prove valuable in the next draft which Sangalang and former Ateneo slotman Greg Slaughter are expected to head.

Sought for comment on Pineda's statements, current PBA chairman and Ginebra board representative Robert Non said: "Kung matatapat sa amin, kukunin namin. Gusto namin yan.”

Buoyed by the sensational debut of Abueva with Alaska, Pineda said he wants the 6-7 Sangalang to have the same success in the pro ranks - preferably with the league's most popular ballclub.

“Tingin ko kasi, bukod sa mabilis na sisikat si Ian sa Ginebra mabibigyan siya doon (sa Ginebra) ng magandang playing time katulad ni Calvin sa Alaska,” said the soft-spoken Pineda.

Pineda, who is running for Pampanga vice governor next year, believes Sangalang is not only ready for the pros but may just be the missing piece of the Ginebra puzzle.

“Pakiramdam ko ready na siya sa pro," he said of the reinging NCAA MVP. "Saka gusto ko kasing makita 'yung mga players ko na nakikipagsabayan sa mga sikat na players ng bansa.”

SOURCE: SPIN.ph

Astig kung si Ian nga ang mapupunta sa Ginebra para may future same with Taha!

Dahil sa performance na pinakita ng air21 ngayon AFC, pwede tayo mag slide sa no.2 top pick... so malamang alin man kila sangalang at slaughter ang makuha natin, :naughty:

akala ko si admin Ian na ito :lol!:

pro malaking tulong yan palitan sila ni taha

Basta unahin nila yung NEED ng team daming may TALENT sa Ginebra naman baka unahin nanaman nila gwardya

Katuwa naman dami nang mga PBA players na taga Pampanga. hehe. Bukod sa marunong si Ian ganyang posisyon din ang kailangan ng ginebra ngayon.

mas okey saken si Ian kesa ke Greg.. Kita ko laro ni Greg sa NLEX at masasabi ko na para lang syang si Rich na pang College ball lang...

But then again, no one can predict the Ginebra Coaches kundi si Noli Eala lang.. Baka unahin nila ang NAME kesa sa TALENT like ng ginawa nila sa Petron.. Mallari over HODGE, FAJARDO over ABUEVA.. Ayun..