While Felix Lemetti is an unexpected first-round pick at eighth, the Fil-Swedish’s credentials speak volumes.
Not a few were surprised after Rain or Shine tabbed relatively unknown Felix Lemetti as the eighth overall pick in the PBA Rookie Draft at the Glorietta Activity Center on Sunday, July 14
Count the Fil-Swedish Lemetti himself among them.
“Yes (I was surprised),” Lemetti told reporters with a smile shortly after joining his new team on stage.
“I wasn’t sure if they’re going to look for me for No. 8. I was looking at a couple of mock drafts and I didn’t think they were going to pick me," he added.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao later explained that after taking a solid pick in Calean Tiongson, they felt they could afford to take a gamble on Lemetti, who was born and raised in Sweden.
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“Si Felix Lemetti, we felt that he had potential. Noong nakita namin siya sa practice, sabi naming, baka puwedeng magamit sa team,” Guiao said before proceeding to describe the 25-year-old’s play.
“He’s a true point guard, solid point guard. He can score. At the same time, he can command 'yung team niya. We’re looking for somebody like that.”
While others were concerned there would be a surplus of playmakers for the Elasto Painters as they also have Andrei Caracut, Adrian Nocum and Anton Asistio, in their fold, Guiao does not really see that as a problem going forward.
“Mayroon kaming mga point guards na talagang have learned how to play our system and how to develop skills which we require in playing our system,” said the Rain or Shine tactician.
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“Nandiyan siyempre si Andrei (Caracut), nandiyan si Anton (Asistio), si Adrian Nocum. I think 'pag pumasok si Felix, we can move him to the 2 spot para hindi masyadong masikip sa point guard.”
Though relatively unknown in Philippine basketball, Lemetti boasts of beefed up credentials that had Guiao take him as the Elasto Painters' second selection in the first round.
“Our second pick in the first round, we felt we can take chances. Puwedeng sugalan. Kasi lahat sila (teams), tig-iisa ang pinili sa first round. Eh, kami, dalawa,” said Guiao.
“'Yung isang pick namin, we will take our chances based on what we saw in practice. Also, looking at his credentials, he was starting for a Division 1 school. You cannot go wrong with that.”
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The 6-foot-1 Lemetti played for four different schools in the US, most notably with the NCAA Division 1 team Omaha Mavericks where he averaged 7.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists.
Apart from that, Lemetti also represented Sweden’s national team’s in the past, an experience he thinks will come in handy when he struts his stuff in Asia’s premier league.
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“Getting that international experience and playing against those opponents, I feel like that’s going to help me in this league as well, playing against bigger and faster opponents,” Lemetti said.
Now Lemetti cannot wait to play for the firebrand mentor once the PBA Season 49 rolls along next month.
“I’m happy they did (pick me) for sure. It’s a blessing. I’m excited to get to work,” he said.