From being NCAA rivals, Letran's Jeo Ambohot and Arellano's Justin Arana are now set to be teammates in the pro ranks.
Ambohot, the 6-foot-7 tower of the Knights, was drafted third overall by the Converge FiberXers in the PBA Rookie Draft while he and his teammates were slugging it out against the Mapua Cardinals in Game 1 of the NCAA Season 97 men's basketball finals.
Arana, the Chiefs' star big man, was selected fourth by the same team and is expected to form a formidable young duo with his fellow collegiate standout.
"'Di rin ako makapaniwala eh. Kanina ko lang din nalaman, sinabi sa akin ng mga coaches," Ambohot said after Letran's 68-63 win over Mapua.
"Siguro kailangan mag-improve pa ako pero alam ko naman na tutulungan naman ako ng mga veterans do'n tsaka ng mga coaches. Ineexpect ko naman na tutulungan ako doon pero kailangan ko pa rin talaga mag-trabaho."
Ambohot and Arana are two of the finest big men to suit up in the NCAA this season.
Ambohot was averaging 10.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks for undefeated Letran heading into these finals. Arana, meanwhile, had been an MVP candidate all year, logging averages of 14.8 points, 17.1 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks through the elimination round and one play-in round game.
And though the two found themselves wearing different jerseys this season, they are plenty familiar with each other having already been teammates in the commercial leagues. That's something he hopes will benefit them as they will look to grow together in the pros.
"Mas okay 'yun kasi dalawa na kaming rookies sa team tapos kaibigan ko rin siya eh. Nagkasama kami sa Pasig sa Filbasket," the graduating big man added.
Converge FiberXers Board Governor Chito Salud expressed his delight to find both players available at their draft positions.
“We are very pleased that we managed to get Justin and Jeo in the first round of the draft. They were at the top of our wishlist, and having them on board will help us start strong in the season," he said.
The FiberXers also drafted 6-foot-tall guard Kameron Vales in the second round and former De La Salle University player Jollo Go in the third round.
But even as the pro ranks await him, Ambohot made sure his focus remains on his current task at hand, which is steering his school to the a second consecutive championship.
The Knights took a big step closer to that goal as they took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three title series.
"Para sa akin naman, 'di ko muna iniisip 'yung PBA. Hindi kasi ako advance mag-isip. Pero gagawin ko lang 'yung best ko pagdating sa PBA, kung ano 'yung pagagawa sa akin."
—JMB, GMA News
