MALAYO na rin ang narating ni Enrico Villanueva sa PBA. Sa dinami-dami ng koponang kanyang napaglaruan sa liga ay ngayon lang siya mapapasailalim sa isang koponang pagmamay-ari ni Manny V. Pangilinan, ang No. 1 benefactor ng Ateneo Blue Eagles. Umpisa sa taong ito ay susuutin ng dating UAAP Most Valuable Player ang uniporme ng NLEX Road Warriors at “excited” na siya sa panibagong simula ng kanyang 11-year PBA career. Sa isang eksklusibong panayam ni Bandera correspondent Eric Dimzon, inilahad ng dating Ateneo star player ang kanyang saloobin.
How do you find your new team NLEX Road Warriors?
I am very happy to play again for Boss MVP dahil siya ‘yung number one supporter namin before sa Ateneo. Throughout my PBA career, I’ve never really played for an MVP team.
Ngayong malapit na matapos ang career ko, I am glad to be given the chance to be a part of an MVP team. It is an opportunity to give back to Boss MVP.
Kelan mo balak mag-retire?
I am 34 now, turning 35 by the time my contract with NLEX expires. I guess hindi na malayo ‘yung retirement. It really depends on how my knees are. I had two ACL injuries on both my knees in the past.
I don’t want to sacrifice the quality of life I will have after basketball. I don’t want to continue playing until it takes a toll on my body. Kung kaya mo pa, then go.
Pero kung nahihirapan ka na, then it’s time to stop. But of course, I love to play pa. Right now, I feel better compared to previous years.
NLEX has a winning tradition. Sa palagay mo, you can continue that winning tradition?
Let’s be realistic. It’s going to be tough. We have a lot of new guys. But we have at least the core of the Air21 team. We had a good run in the last two conferences.
So we are not really starting at the bottom. We are going to give everybody a run for their money. We will play hard.
Ano ba talaga ang nangyari sa inyo ni Ryan Araña during a tune-up game between NLEX and Rain or Shine?
Wala namang problema sa akin kung physical ‘yung game. But throwing the ball to my head is a different story. I’m old. I’m a veteran. I don’t think I will allow anyone to do that to me.
Galit ka ba sa mga La Salle players?
Most of them are my friends. Coincidental lang siguro. Besides, I’ve had lots of fights with non-La Salle players. I fought with Danny I, foreign players and Marc Pingris.
Masyado lang pinalalaki pag La Salle player ang involved. Understandable naman ‘yun kasi nga may bitter rivalry between the two schools.
Do you feel that you are a misunderstood player?
I’m not going to say misunderstood. I am what I am. I play rough inside the basketball court. But if you get to know me outside the court, I am totally different. Mas gentle ako outside the court (laughs).
You once played for Team Pilipinas under Coach Chot Reyes. Ano ang masasabi mo sa nangyari sa Gilas Pilipinas sa Incheon Asian Games?
It is hard to comment because I am not a part of that team. But I know the sacrifices of the players, coaching staff and the whole MVP group. Of course, people had a lot of expectations for the team.
Pero maraming behind-the-scenes na hindi natin nakita o alam. So ‘yung mga opinyon ng tao hindi based sa whole picture. For me ultimately, the players gave a lot.
Ano masasabi mo tungkol kay Coach Chot sa kanyang ginawa sa Gilas Pilipinas?
I am just going to say na ‘yung mga binitiwan ni Mr. Ramon Fernandez cannot be ignored. After all, Mr. Fernandez is a legend and he knows what he is talking about.
Kailangan tingnan ‘yung mga sinasabi niya. But we must not forget what Coach Chot did with Gilas. It was Coach Chot who led the team to the World Cup after 36 years of absence. That is an achievement by itself.
At this point in your career, meron ka pa bang gustong patunayan o makuha?
At this point, I’d like to win another championship. I had one with Red Bull. I’d like to actually play in a championship na nakakatulong pa rin.
At the same time, ‘yung ma-guide ko ‘yung mga younger players. May fulfillment to teach younger players on ways to improve their game. Masarap ‘yung feeling nang ganun.
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