Every year, a select few of amateur basketball players get to fulfill their dream of playing in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Many Other young hopefuls, unfortunately, would eventually end up as practice players while waiting for their breaks or they play somewhere else to further hone their skills.
A number of them will totally give up on pursuing their basketball dreams and take a different career path. Some will stick it out and fight for their dreams.
For Aaron Jeruta, he chose to use his failed bid in the PBA draft as a motivation to pursue his passion.
"2016 nung nag-apply ako sa PBA draft. Undrafted ako noong year na yun pero hindi yung nag-stop sa akin para abutin pa din mga pangarap ko sa basketball career ko, said Aaron Jeruta in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy."
When one door closes, a new one opens. After getting snubbed in the PBA draft, Aaron Jeruta searched for teams where he can pursue his passion for basketball.
Fortunately, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) opened its doors for hoopers like Aaron Jeruta who were left unsigned in the professional ranks. As fate would have it, he ended up with the San Juan Knights.
"After college, naghahanap ako ng mga teams na mapaglalaruan kasi nga undrafted ako sa PBA. Free agent ako, so kinuha ako ng former coach ko sa San Juan Knights na kung saan nag jumpstart ulit ang basketball career ko, shared Aaron Jeruta."
It turned out that Aaron Jeruta's entry to the San Juan Knights was very timely. While he was not as explosive offensively as John Wilson and Mike Ayonayon nor as strong as Jhonard Clarito, he did contribute in so many ways.
In the 36 games he played for the Knights , he normed 5.19 points, 3.53 rebounds, and 3.39 assists per outing while keeping the troops steady as their point guard. His efforts didn't go to waste.
The San Juan Knights eventually hacked out a come-from-behind win against the Davao Occidental Tigers in the fifth (5th) and final game of their championship series to bag the Datu Cup championship trophy. Aaron Jeruta distinctly remembers the exhilarating moment after Jhonard Clarito sank the game winner.
"Sobrang saya ng feeling nung naging champion kami, sobrang saya ng buong team. Iniisip na namin agad yung trophy and yung championship ring, one of the best feelings in the world, recalled Aaron Jeruta."
Winning the championship was not the only prize that Aaron Jeruta benefited from when he was with the San Juan Knights. He also learned valuable lessons from the veterans such as John Wilsom, Larry Rodriguez and Macmac Cardona.
"Yung mga mentors ko sa San Juan syempre yung mga coaches pero yung mga ex-pros namin yung mga nakatulong talaga sa akin, kasi sila yung mga matagal na sa basketball at madami napatunayan. Sila Kuya Larry Rodriguez, Mac Cardona, at John Wilson."
His tenure with the San Juan Knights, however, didn't last long. He had to scout for another team after he was told told to consider other options during the off-season.
It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Iloilo entered the MPBL as an expansion team and it immediately recruited Aaron Jeruta as one of its homegrown players.
"Una, hindi ko desisyon na umalis ng San Juan, pero I was told to look for other options. Thankfully, nabuo yung team ng Iloilo. Kinontact ako ni coach Eric, and matagal ko na din gusto maglaro for coach Eric and coach Nash kaya grabe, sobrang blessing in disguise kasi makakalaro pa ako sa hometown ko, explained Aaron Jeruta."
Playing in front of a big crowd is already fulfilling for a basketball player, moreso if you are hooping before your hometown fans. More importantly, Aaron Jeruta will return to where his basketball journey commenced.
As a kid, Aaron Jeruta developed his passion for Basketball in the streets of Barangay Tagbak in Iloilo where he played against older opponents. Thankfully, his father who was also a point guard back then taught him the fundamentals on how to be the court general.
"Nagsimula ako mag-basketball sa mga kalsada sa barangay namin sa Iloilo [Tagbak]. Dun Nagsimula lahat, doon ako napamahal sa basketball. Yung tatay ko lagi ako pinapangaralanan nun, kung paano dapat yung tamang paglalaro kasi point guard din noong araw ang tatay ko. Kalaro ko lagi sa amin yung mga mas matatanda pa sa akin kaya maaga din ako natuto sa paglaro ng basketball."
Aaron Jeruta's basketball brilliance made him varsity as early as a grade three (3) student in St. Joseph School. He remained as a basketball player for. St. Joseph until he graduated in 2011.
He was then recruited into the Centro Escolar University (CEU) basketball program by his high school coach who was acquainted with a former coach of CEU. Aaron Jeruta had a a fruitful and memorable stint with CEU as they won multiple championships such as NAASCU, MNCAA, and the PBA Dleague.
"Yung championship namin sa PBA D-league siguro ang pinaka memorable sa college career ko kasi dito namin napatunayan na kaya pala namin makipag compete sa mga top college players and prospect ng Pilipinas."
Sadly, Aaron Jeruta's MPBL career will have to take a lengthy break after the league cancelled the entire 2020-2021 season due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Like the rest of MPBL cagers, he has to adjust accordingly.
"Online shop muna pagkakaabalahan namin ng girlfriend ko ngayon habang wala pa MPBL, pero syempre pa-kondisyon parin para pagbalik ng MPBL, ready din ako."
Aaron Jeruta believes there's still hope and that everything will return to normal. We may have to wait for a while but basketball, particularly the MPBL, will be back.
So for young players who are aspiring to play professional basketball, Aaron Jeruta advises them to never give up in pursuing their passion just like what he did.
"Huwag kayo sumuko sa mga pangarap ninyo na makalaro sa PBA o sa MPBL. Madaming challenges ang dadating pero kailangan niyo lang ay maging matapang na harapin lahat ito, at maabot niyo din mga pangarap niyo sa buhay."
You will never know, God has a plan for you.
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