MAGNOLIA coach Chito Victolero knows it will take tons of patience and a lot of hard work before the potential the Hotshots saw in James Laput turns into game.
Good thing Laput has two experienced fellow big men and new teammates in Ian Sangalang and Rafi Reavis to learn from and help him progress.
“We’ll try to be very patient sa kanya dahil nga we know na marami pa siyang kailangang gawin at matutunan. I talked to him also, na ganoon, na maging pasensiyado siya, sumunod, makinig para mag-improve siya,” Victolero related to Malaya-Business Insight yesterday.
“Hindi naman kami nagmamadali. Sabi ko nga sa kanya, ‘Just try to get better every day.’ ‘Yung nakatutok sa kanyang coach (Juno Sauler) makinig siya para matutunan niya ang sistema ng team, mag-improve siya sa mga ipinapagawa namin sa kanya.”
The 6-foot-10 Laput was acquired from Terrafirma late last week for Kyle Pascual and fellow veteran Justin Melton.
“Matagal na talaga kaming naghahanap ng… at least ka-partner ni Ian,” explained Victolero. “We all know naman na si Rafi di na bumabata. Si (Russell) Escoto nandoon, but we needed a legit center talaga na puwedeng makatulong ni Ian. Si Ian naman talaga ang No. 1 threat namin sa post.
“Ngayon, may nakikita kaming potential at malaking upside kay James. That’s why we tried na makuha siya—and nangyari naman.”
The 24-year-old former La Salle prospect, picked at No. 8 overall in last March’s draft, averaged just 2.6 points on 53% shooting and 2.6 rebounds in a little over 10 minutes per game in his rookie conference during the last Philippine Cup.
Victolero and his staff saw something in Laput even though they all knew it would take a lot of doing before Laput can evolve into at least an able slotman he is expected to be.
“Pang long-term siya,” Victolero said. “Sabi ko nga sa kanya, ‘Ian Sangalang did not become Ian Sangalang overnight. You have to bring hard work, patience, everything in order for you to become like Ian.
“But we don’t want you to be an Ian, we want you to be a James Laput. You have to get the smarts and experience of a Rafi Reavis and the footwork of Ian and then you will be a James Laput.’”
Immediately after the trade was approved Laput reported for Magnolia practices and has had two sessions with the team along with import Mike Harris.
Watch and learn is the chief advice given to Laput.
“Every day, every practice na makakasama o makakalaban mo either Ian or Rafi may makukuha ka, may matututunan ka sa kanila,” Victolero pointed out. “You’ll get to know how they think and how they play and the experience will help you improve.”
According to Victolero, Laput has so far been receptive.
“He’s willing to work, willing to learn,” he said. “Sabi ko nga, hindi overnight ito pero ‘yung upside medyo malaki. Of course, gusto naming medyo mabilisan pero kailangan naming tutukan, maging pasensiyado, kasi ‘yung bata naman eto pa lang siya. Pero at least meron na kaming malaking bata.”
