Jonnel Policarpio raised his draft stock following his stellar performance in the PBA Draft Combine.
In a PBA Draft littered with big names, Jonnel Policarpio stood out.
The former La Salle stalwart just raised his stock after steering Team B1 to a 61-44 win over Team A3 to emerge as champion in the PBA Draft Combine mini tournament.
He was eventually adjudged Most Valuable Player after scoring 14 points in the finale and 21 in the semis at the Ynares Sports Centre in Pasig City on Thursday, July 11.
“Sobrang blessed at grateful akong nakuha ko 'yung MVP. Bonus lang 'to. Nagtulung-tulong kaming mga teammates ko,” said Policarpio.
In the two-day activity which serves as a chance for the pro hopefuls to show their wares, Policarpio pretty much proved he could go toe-to-toe against the likes of projected top overall pick Justine Baltazar, Kai Ballungay and Caelan Tiongson.
The 70-man draft class also includes RJ Abarrientos and Sedrick Barefield.
Bagging the MVP honors came as a surprise to the 6-foot-5 cager, who has forgone his remaining playing years with the Green Archers.
“Hindi ko in-expect makuha 'yun kasi 'yung mga teammates ko, sobrang talented,” said Policarpio, who played alongside NCAA standouts Kurt Reyson and Agem Miranda.
But the Pampanga native did feel confident since Day 1 knowing he prepared hard in hopes of realizing his dream of becoming a PBA player.
“For me, 'yung nilaro ko mula Day 1, 'yung confidence ko, 100 percent kaya maganda ang pinakita ko,” he said.
With his tour-de-force performance, it would not be surprising to see the small forward get tabbed in the first round of the draft set on July 14 at Glorietta in Makati.
Policarpio vowed to give his all to whichever team that would pick him.
“Ready lang talaga ako kahit saan man ako mapunta. Ibibigay ko [ang] 100 percent [ko],” said Policarpio.