He will now team up with idol Terrence Romeo.
A teary-eyed Kyt Jimenez bowed his head and prayed as he anxiously waited for his name to be called in the PBA Draft on Sunday.
It didn’t come until the 76th pick as the San Miguel Beermen selected the online sensation to the delight of the crowd at the Market! Market! in Taguig.
But it was all worth it.
“Parang nasa langit na ako, kasi pangarap ko ‘to bata pa lang ako,” Jimenez told members of the media after the draft that saw 79 out of 124 aspirants fulfil their basketball dreams.
He admitted feeling nervous the entire time in the event where Terrafirma Dyip tabbed Stephen Holt as the top pick. But Jimenez, who also turned heads in the Draft Combine, was ready regardless of the outcome.
“Naka-mindset naman ako, ‘yung focus ko is makuha o hindi, at least nagawa ko ‘yung role ko as a player, at kung hanggang saan mararating ng kakayanan ko as basketball player,” said the shifty guard, who first made waves appearing in Mavs Phenomenal’s Dayo Series on YouTube.
“Kaya ko naglalaro kasi gusto kasi makapagbigay inspirasyon sa kabataan, sa mga naghahangad makarating sa mas mataas na liga.”
He got his wish and more. Now he will team up with his idol Terrence Romeo and he is already looking forward to learning from the former PBA scoring champion.
"Hindi ko inexpect na kukunin ako ng San Miguel. Kanina naiiyak na lang ako na natawag pa 'yung pangalan ko kahit bandang huli na, pero will ni Lord 'yun," he said.
“Sobrang saya kasi sobrang tagal ko na 'di nakakasama uli si Kuya Terrence. Pero ngayon magkakasama kami sa ensayo, sobrang laking opportunity kasi mas marami pa akong matutunan sa kanya at sa mga beterano ng San Miguel,” Kyt added.
But things will only get tougher now for Jimenez, who will have to work extra hard to earn his minutes in a loaded San Miguel lineup.
(GM)