UV’s Suerte moves closer to reaching PBA dreams

CEBU, Philippines — It's a dream of every aspiring Filipino cager to make it to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Rey Anthony Suerte said that dream is deeply entrenched in his heart and mind since his childhood days.

Now 24 years old and undoubtedly one of the brightest amateur basketball players in the country today, Suerte drives closer towards reaching the ultimate goal in his hoop journey.

This after the University of the Visayas (UV) star was picked by Che’Lu Bar and Grill in the PBA D-League Draft just the other day.

The 6-foot-2 sharpshooting wingman said he felt nervous and excited at the same time now that he is nearing the fulfillment of his boyhood ambition - to bring his act in the pro ranks.

As a collegiate standout, Suerte powered the UV Green Lancers to a rare grandslam feat in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) from 2016-2018. In those three straight championships, he bagged the Most Valuable Player award twice (2016 and 2018).

The sporting pride of Monkayo, Compostela Valley is still eligible to see action in the CESAFI but gave up his last playing year with the Lancers to start charting his career path to the pro level.

It turns out he made the right decision.

Suerte was drafted by Che'Lu in the PBA D-League, by far the biggest break in his career.

 "Nakulbaan ko nga na-excited kay tungod lagi nagka-anam nako og kaduol sa akong mga damgo nga mahimong pro player," said Suerte, a graduate of Business Administration major in Human Resource Development Management from UV. "Mao man gyud nay pangandoy sa usa ka player ba nga maka-abot og kanang dagko nga liga mao kailangan pa mag-hardwork aron makalahutay."

But before suiting up for Che'Lu, Suerte hopes to deliver one more crowning glory for the UV Lancers in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) National Finals where they will face either the Ateneo Blue Eagles or the San Beda Red Lions on January 26 in Manila.