Former La Salle guard CJ Austria during the PBA Rookie Draft Combine.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—In his college days, La Salle’s CJ Austria made a name for himself as a serious offensive threat in the UAAP.
In the 2025 PBA Draft, though, he’s just another kid hoping his name gets called up by one of the teams.
READ: PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft: One of the biggest but not much starpower
During Day 2 of the Draft Combine on Friday at Ynares Sports Center in Pasig, Austria revealed that he’s leaving behind all his collegiate glory in his road to the PBA.
“I don’t think about those things because all of us here are equals. All of us worked hard and did our best to be picked,” Austria told the Inquirer.
“Maybe my championship and UAAP Finals appearances are just bonuses. I’ll just be praying and we’ll see how it goes on Sunday.”
Austria was one of La Salle’s marksmen over the past two UAAP Seasons.
The sweet-shooting guard helped the Green Archers reach the finals in Season 87 but it was the year before when he truly shone.
READ: PBA Draft: Kascius Small-Martin, five others miss final cut
In Season 86, Austria backstopped Kevin Quiambao and the Green Archers in trouncing the University of the Philippines to win the UAAP crown in 2023.
But that was the UAAP. The PBA will be a very different setting should Austria is selected.
Still, that didn’t stop him from dreaming.
“I want to be teammates with Kuya Mark Barroca because I see his veteran wits in the game and he acts as an older brother to the rookies to make them better players,” he said.
“I want to guard players as well in my position like (Adrian) Nocum and (Jhonard) Clarito, I want to defend guys like them,” he added.
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Austria will be one of the 122 hopefuls in the Season 50 Rookie Draft on Sunday at Mall of Asia Music Hall.
