Letran head coach Bonnie Tan is urging his graduating big man Jeo Ambohot to further improve his game now that the 6-foot-7 center has bared his plans of joining the upcoming PBA rookie draft.
Speaking after the Knights’ 81-65 drubbing of the hapless Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers on Saturday, Tan said Ambohot’s development into becoming a more complete big man as well as his performance in their playoff run this season will be the key in enticing scouts, especially in a class that could feature other premiere collegiate big men like Justin Arana, JM Calma and Justine Baltazar.
“Slowly he’s getting his rhythm but again sabi ko nga sa kanya para maging complete player siya as a big man he has to get the rebounding so yun yung medyo nag improve sa kanya yung rebounding department kasi before pa si Jeo can score,” Tan said of his starting center.
Ambohot proved to be a vital cog in Letran’s still unblemished 7-0 record as the team’s second-best scorer with 11 points per game behind Rhenz Abando’s 15.4 markers.
He is also the anchor of the defending champions’ league-leading defense, finishing with close to 10 rebounds and one block per game.
“Happy for him kasi last year na niya so sana magtuloy tuloy na hanggang itong last season niya. Sinasabi ko sa kanila mga graduating players sila yung magki-create ng story nila,” said Tan.
Asked if he thinks Ambohot is already ripe for the professional play, the champion coach is leaving it to the judgment of the scouts.
As for his part, he is giving Ambohot the opportunity to catch the attention of the PBA teams but it will still be up for the lanky big man to deliver especially during the crucial games.
“Makikita naman ng mga tao iyan eh lalo na yung mga scouting coaches natin kung ready or not basta kami as a coaching staff we're giving him all the breaks,” Tan explained.
“Sabi ko nga sa kaniya para mapansin tayo, the team needs to win, mareach natin yung championship kasi normally ‘yung scouting coaches dun talaga nakatingin, semis and knockout games," he added.
Letran has already secured at least a spot in the play-in but can still clinch one of the two outright semis seats with a victory against San Sebastian on Tuesday.