Negrense center Raymar Jose was not expecting to get a renewal from the Meralco Bolts but is grateful that the team signed him to another year of a deal ahead of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup on April 9.
The Pontevedra, Negros Occidental-native Jose was the third Negrense player to be renewed by the Bolts during the offseason after re-signing Bacolodnons Reynel Hugnatan and Siverino Baclao.
“Super happy ako na na-extend pa ako,” Jose said in an interview with Tiebreaker Times. “Kumbaga, sa dami naming expiring, pina-renew nila ulit ako. Binigyan pa ako ng chance na ma-extend ulit ng one year.”
Jose, a former Far Eastern University Tamaraws center, started his PBA career with the Blackwater Elite in 2017 before being traded in 2019 to the Bolts, where he struggled to have consistent minutes due to its phalanx of centers.
In 2020, PBA Philippine Cup at the AUF Sports Arena & Cultural Center in Pampanga, Jose only showed action for the Bolts nine times where he averaged 1.9 points and 2.2 rebounds in mostly garbage time minutes.
Instead of becoming dejected with his lack of court time, Jose said he is instead trying to learn the ropes from veteran Bolts centers in Hugnatan, Bryan Faundo and Raymond Almazan.
“Malaking bagay sa development ‘yung mga beterano, tulad niyan, sina kuya Reynel. Nung bubble, marami akong natutunan sa kanya kasi naging roommate ko siya,” Jose said.
“Tsaka inspiration ko sila kasi nasa learning process pa rin naman ako eh, natututo pa rin ako sa kanila,” the Negrense center added.
Jose, who is a former PBA Developmental League MVP awardee, said that he is more motivated to improve his game after being granted a contract renewal by the Bolts.
“Ako palagi, gigil naman talaga ako na makalaro. Kasi siyempre, kailangan ko rin ipakita na deserve ko rin na binibigyan nila ako ng sahod – maipakita ko at maibalik ko rin ‘yung binibigay nila sa’kin,” Jose said.
