Kyt Jimenez did not expect that people would approach and ask for selfies when he watched a PBA game courtside at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The YouTube sensation turned MPBL star attended the Commissioner’s Cup game between Magnolia and NLEX Wednesday, and gamely posed for photo requests with fans during halftime of the match the Hotshots eventually won.
“Siyempre, sarap po sa feeling, pinakamataas na liga na po dito sa atin sa Pilipinas ‘to,” he told Sports Beat PH.
“Halftime po kanina, ‘di ko ine-expect na pupunta sa’kin yung mga nanonood para magpa-picture po. Sobrang nakakagaan po sa pakiramdam,” the Mav’s Phenomenal Basketball product furthered. “Sarap po talaga.”
Jimenez has been drawing attention since joining Sarangani in the regional pro league, and more of that came his way after writing history last Monday.
The Perpetual product registered a quadruple-double of 33 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, and 11 steals, powering the Marlins’ 125-74 clobbering of Mindoro.
“Para sa’kin, nagbunga lang po siguro lahat ng mga times na ako lang mag-isa sa court, lahat ng pag-eextra ko. Then siguro, dahil pinagpe-pray ko po lagi kay Lord,” he offered regarding the rare statistical achievement.
“Siya po ‘yung gumawa ng way na binigay niya po sa akin yung ganung history. Pag naglalaro ako, inenjoy ko lang po talaga. Gusto ko lang maging masaya sa court, and gusto ko mapangiti, mapasaya yung mga taong nanonood.”
It was the only other quadruple-double tallied in the history of Philippine hoops since Donbel Belano did as much with Davao in the 1999 MBA season.
Belano himself enjoyed a successful career after a season in the now-defunct league, going on to play for 10 seasons in the PBA that saw him win a pair of championships — first with Sta. Lucia, and then with Talk N Text.
Jimenez, for his part, did not hide his aspirations of, one day, reaching Asia’s pioneering pro league, saying that it has always been a dream.
For now, the 5-foot-11 combo guard would want to focus on Sarangani and on refining his game further to gear up better when he makes the jump.
“Siyempre po, pangarap ko pong makatuntong po talaga rito, makapaglaro po talaga,” said Jimenez.
“Finish strong po muna ako ngayon sa kung ano po ‘yung ginagawa ko ngayon, and tingnan ko po kung ano ‘yung will ni Lord, kung saan Niya po ako dadalhin.”
