Juntilla eyes PBA comeback
By Jerome Lagunzad
Journeyman Reed Juntilla intends to use his incoming stint with expansion team Zamboanga Valientes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Anta Datu Cup as a springboard to make it back to the pro ranks.
The 6-foot-2 guard is confident that he’s far from being a spent force even at 33 as he looks to make the most out of the latest opportunity at hand with the Valientes, one of the new kids on the block in the fast-growing nationwide cage league.
“I’m looking at this as a stepping stone for me to get back in the PBA,” said the former University of Visayas star, an undrafted aspirant in the 2007 PBA rookie draft but went on to play for four different teams, the last with GlobalPort back in 2013.
“This is a big chance for me to make a possible return in professional leagues. And this could be an added motivation to me. I just need to keep my focus here and make sure to do well. Who knows, I might get another call up among PBA teams.”
The climb back to the top, however, appears steeper than than ever before since Juntilla will need to prove that he remains deadly from the outside while teaming up with the likes of former pros Rob Sanz and Leo Avenido.
Meanwhile, the Valientes, led by co-team owner Rolando Navarro Jr. and head coach Ednie Morones, formally agreed to have Family’s Brand Sardines as its main backer for the second season of the MPBL.