Sabellina catches coaches’ eyes at Gatorade PBA Draft Combine

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Sabellina catches coaches’ eyes at Gatorade PBA Draft Combine

by rick olivares pic by mon rubio

With one thunderous jam, Mclean Sabellina served notice to the various PBA coaches gathered for Day 2 of the Gatorade PBA Draft Combine that they might want to re-evaluate some of their pre-draft choices.

Sabellina, the 6’3” forward from Boracay Rhum and formerly of the STI Olympians flashed into the lane and collected a zip pass from Philip Paniamogan who drew the defense when he drove hard down the left baseline.

The Cagayan De Oro native rose and dunked the ball in traffic sending the crowd at the Gatorade Hoops Center oohing and ahhing.

His raw athleticism and nose for the ball enabled him to lead all scorers during the scrimmage for the draft hopefuls. Sabellina’s final stat line read: 12 points on five-for-six shooting (including two-for-two from the free throw line) and three rebounds versus one turnover. All in 15 minutes of play.

“That got everyone’s attention because he took good shots and in the flow of their offense,” noted Barako Bull Energy head coach Siot Tanquincen. “Didn’t take bad shots and that is something coaches look out for.”

“Impressive yung laro niya,” underscored camp director Bong Ramos who last coached Barako Bull in the last conference of PBA Season 39. “And that is what the camp is all about for those who are not name players to show what they can do.”

Sabellina was a former mythical selection for STI in NAASCU during the 2011 season. “He’s like a young Arwind Santos,” compared STI Team Manager Mhel Garrido of his former player to the former FEU Tamaraws/San Miguel Beer standout.

“Happy naman ako sa pinakita ko,” said an ebullient Sabellina after the end of the rookie camp. “Excited ako pero aaminin ko na nininerbyos ako. Sana makuha talaga kasi pangarap ko makapaglaro sa PBA.”

Sabellina’s sports tests results are as follows:

Height: 6’3”

Wingspan: 6’7”

Weight: 80.7kg

Lane Agility: 9.72 seconds

Shuttle Run: 17.83 seconds

Three-Fourths Court Sprint: 3.38 seconds

Standing Vertical Leap: 31.4 inches

Maximum Vertical Leap: 62.4 inches

With Mclean Sabellina who I covered years ago in my one year of following NAASCU. Wrote about the STI Olympians for our late magazine, Rebound, as well as for Business Mirror. Thanks to Mhel Garrido and Vic Ycasiano.