MANILA – JC Intal joined other players in Gilas Pilipinas’ training pool after being called out by national team coach Tab Baldwin.
“I got shocked. I got a word from coach Tab last conference… And after this season, the team manager of Gilas (Butch Antonio) texted me na start na ‘yung practice namin a few weeks ago,” Intal said in a Spin.ph report.
(I got shocked. I got a word from coach Tab last conference… And after this season, the team manager of Gilas texted me about starting our practice a few weeks ago.)
“I am going ninth year in the PBA. It’s a big blessing for me. And I thank the Lord that I got included… Bunga ito ng hardwork at pagtyatyaga. Siguro na-recognize nila ‘yung nalaro ko last year and I am very thankful ako na na-include ako [in the national team’s pool,” he added.
(I am going ninth year in the PBA.
It’s a big blessing for me. And I thank the Lord that I got included… This is the result of hardwork and patience.
Maybe they recognized how I played last year and I am very thankful that I’m included in the national team’s pool.)
The PBA veteran then felt both excited and a bit pressured.
“Inspired? Ayun, ginanahan rin of course, pero kinilabutan talaga ako nung (kay) coach Tab. Noon pa yun, nung panahon pa ni (Barako import Solomon) Alabi,” he said.
(Inspired? I was also boosted of course, but I really felt goosebumps when coach Tab [told me about my inclusion]. That was before, during the time of Alabi.)