Former Gilas Pilipinas Youth guard Dalph Panopio. Photo from FIBA Basketball.MANILA — Dalph Panopio is set for a homecoming to prove his worth and chase his dreams.
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The former Gilas Pilipinas youth playmaker is now set to bring his talents to Asia’s first play-for-pay league, sharing with ABS-CBN News that he will be entering the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft.
For Panopio, reaching the PBA would be fulfilling a dream that he shares with his family.
“My dad and family worked so hard to give me a chance to pursue my dreams in basketball and education,” the 25-year-old Filipino-Italian guard told ABS-CBN News, Tuesday afternoon.
“It's been a dream of my father to see me play in the Philippines and I feel this is a great time to do it,” he added.
Aside from being present Gilas stars Kai Sotto and AJ Edu’s playmaker during their time in the youth program, Panopio also boasts a resume which saw him develop in Italian hoops culture, play in the US NCAA Division 1, and also suit up for the Mumbai TITANS in the INBL.
Given his extensive experience, Panopio is excited to lace his kicks and finally lock horns with the country’s best playmakers.
“I have learned from my upbringing in the Italian/European basketball culture, then played with great Americans in my prep school such as Keegan and Kris Murray for example,” said Panopio, who normed 14.9 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.7 rebounds in nine games for Mumbai.
“Then my NCAA D1 college experience was also very useful, and I am proud to say graduated with a college degree. I believe professional basketball requires discipline and adaptability which I am striving to live every day,” added one of the projected top picks of this year’s draft.
The PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft proceedings are scheduled on September 7.