MANILA – Donald Gumaru is set to suit up for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings for their upcoming title defense in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Gumaru, who previously played for the Iloilo United Royals in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, was signed up by the Gin Kings following his impressive showing during the PBA on Tour.
According to Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone, the 5-foot-11 former Arellano University Chiefs guard fits well to the team with his defense and his outside shooting.
“We liked him in the On Tour. He played really well,” Cone said in an interview with Spin.ph on Monday. “He’s the shooter that we wanted, and he’s a free agent.”
“He’s a feisty defender. He shoots the ball really well, makes good decision on the floor. So yes, I think he can impact us,” added the winningest PBA head coach.
Gumaru, who was undrafted during the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft, will serve as Gin Kings’ backup point guard with LA Tenorio still uncertain to play in the upcoming conference.
“Again, we’re not 100 percent sure of LA, so we felt we need somebody out there that can fill in a little bit of what LA does, and he’s (Gumaru) a tremendous shooter, he’s feisty like LA,” Cone said.
Gumaru, who shared backcourt chores with Jio Jalalon and Kent Salado during his time with Arellano, suited up for the United Royals from 2019 to 2021 before he moved to the Sarangani Marlins.
He was later tapped by coach Kirk Collier to suit up for Barangay Ginebra’s 3×3 team and won the franchise’s first two leg titles in the half-court game recently.
Gumaru will be the second rookie in the Gin Kings’ roster for the upcoming PBA season aside from center Ralph Cu, who was signed to a one-year contract./PN
