San Miguel draft pick Kyt Jimenez takes his talents to Zamboanga Valientes after playing only two games in the PBA.
It didn’t take much convincing for San Miguel Beermen draft pick Kyt Jimenez to bite the bullet and end his tenure with the storied PBA franchise to join the Zamboanga Valientes as they get ready for the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship slated next week.
That is, although he is technically a champion in the PBA, Jimenez played just two games in his stint with the Beermen — averaging just eight minutes a game and recording two points per contest.
When he was offered an opportunity that meant more playing time, though it may come with a pay cut, Jimenez was eager to take on a role that meant he got to see more of the basketball court in live games.
“For me, nag-take lang ako ng risk,” said Jimenez.
“Kasi syempre, hindi naman tayo pabata and lumilipas 'yung sikat natin, 'yung galing natin ayun. Nag-take ako ng risk na why not subukan ko ulit. Kasi siyempre, ang tagal ko na ring hindi nakapaglaro so, kinausap ako ni Boss Junnie [Navarro] kaya ayun, ginrab ko 'yung opportunity.”
In Zamboanga, he has the chance to prove himself, as he is expected to be among locals to play heavy minutes along with the likes of collegiate stars Nic Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao, and ex-pro Prince Caperal.
Before heading to the PBA, Jimenez drew fame for his iconic “quadruple-double” in the MPBL, where he notched a rare quadruple-double, recording 33 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, and 11 steals while playing for the Sarangani Marlins in 2022.
Now that the buzz around his feat has since died down, and things have become stagnant for him basketball-wise, Jimenez is eager to rediscover himself with the new challenge.
“Siguro kung paano ako nakilala ng tao before ako mag-PBA, 'yun 'yung gusto ko mabalik [dito]. Kung paano ako nakilala talaga and siguro hihigitan ko pa 'yun,” he said.
As for how things ended with the Beermen, Jimenez said that there was no problem at all, and that the team was willing to let him go for greener pastures and bigger opportunities.
“Pinayagan naman nila ako. Once na pumirma na ako sa Zamboanga, or nakita na nila ako naglaro, then dun na nila ika-cut 'yung kontrata ko,” he said.
With only days left before he begins his new journey with the Valientes in Dubai, Jimenez is continuing to push himself and the rest of the team, especially as they aim to make a splash despite short preparation time.
“For me, kulang pa 'yung preparation namin kasi 'yun nga, hindi naman siya sobrang napaghandaan. Okay naman kahit papano, pero kulang pa,” he said.
Jimenez and Zamboanga open their bid in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship on Saturday, January 25, against Sharjah SC of the United Arab Emirates.