Sangalang yet to give up dreams of playing for Ginebra

“Wala nang urungan ito,” said Ian Sangalang upon submitting his application Thursday for the coming PBA Draft. Jerome Ascano

IAN Sangalang finally made himself available to the coming PBA Rookie Draft after formally submitting his application Thursday, his hopes of being tab by Barangay Ginebra still burning deep inside.

The former NCAA Most Valuable Player was accompanied to the PBA Office by adviser Atty. Charlie Chua.

“Wala nang urungan ito,” said the 6-foot-7 big man out of San Sebastian.

Sangalang admitted he’s still optimistic he’ll be able to play for the Kings – his favorite team since as a kid – despite the team appeared to be leaning on tapping Greg Slaughter instead with the no. 1 overall pick.

“Hangga’t hindi po nila ina-announce `yung first pick, hindi po ako mawawalan ng pag-asa,” said the native of Lubao, Pampanga, who admitted his profound wish to play for Ginebra.

[See story here: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/ian-sangalang-hoping-to-be-drafted-by-ginebra]

“Pero gaya nga po ng inuulit ko, yung paglalaro sa Ginebra eh wish ko lang.

Pangarap. Kung makukuha ako ng ibang team, ibubuhos ko po ang lahat,” he said.

“Syempre gusto ko pong patunayan na kaya kong makipag-sabayan sa PBA.”

Asked who between him and possible top pick Gregory Slaughter should be the top overall pick, Sangalang humbly replied: “Lahat naman po ng mag-a-aply sa draft na ito magaling.”

Other than Slaughter and Sangalang, also joining the Nov. 3 Draft are Raymund Almazan of Letran, RR Garcia of Far Eastern University, Jerick Teng of University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo’s Justine Chua and Nico Salva, Carlo Lastimosa of St. Benilde, among others. 

Chua, meanwhile said Sangalang will definitely be an additional talent to the league.

“I am sure hindi ako mapapahiya pag nasa PBA na si Ian. He is one of the best natural big man sa bansa,” said Chua, also the chief of staff of Sangalang’s discoveror,  Pampanga Vice Governor Dennis Pineda.

“Maging pangalawa o pangatlo o last na ma-pick si Ian, sigurado ako na hindi magsisisi ang kukuha sa kanya,” said Chua of the former Stag.