Ken Tuffin glanced around the Gatorade Hoops Center on Tuesday. and couldn’t believe the number of people inside the packed venue, all sharing the same dream as his: to join the Philippine Basketball Association.
“It’s a lot of applicants.
“If ever I get the opportunity, I’ll be blessed and thankful and willing to contribute immediately for whatever team who gives me an opportunity,” he said on Wednesday.
Tuffin had been away from the Philippines since the pandemic.
The 26-year-old Filipino-Kiwi did not use his final playing year with Far Eastern University to play for Taranaki in the New Zealand-National Basketball League. After a year with the Mountainairs, he was picked up by the Wellington Saints, spending the last three years there.
His time with the Saints certainly improved him as a player.
Photo from Wellington Saints
With the Tamaraws, the 6-foot-5 player mostly played as a power forward, causing problems for opposing teams’ foreign student-athletes.
However, with the Saints, he transitioned to playing as a winger, a position he has been comfortable with since.
“I was a four in FEU so transitioning now to a two and three, being able to handle the ball, I feel like in three years, I have gotten better,” he said.
“I hope that through this combine, everyone can see that as well.”
A total of 114 aspirants participated in the combine, with 14 more expected to arrive for Sunday’s events. However, Tuffin firmly believes that, unlike the rest of the field, he, like Stephen Holts, is already a veteran of the game.
“I think it’s been great for my development.
“As you saw from the World Cup, the style of play in New Zealand is very European. The game is fast and also physical. I feel like my time in New Zealand made my IQ is different and the way that I approach the game,” said Tuffin, who was a teammate of Converge import Tom Vodanovich in Wellington.
“Playing professionally in two years, I know how to take care of my body and do the little things. I feel like I’m an older rookie. I’m 26 and not fresh out of FEU anymore. Transitioning to the two or three has been great for me,” he closed.
