Kemark Carino is ready to battle the “big boys” when he suits up for Terrafirma in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup that opens this Sunday.
The 6-foot-8 Carino said facing six-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer, Christian Standhardinger of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and other prized slotmen will be no easy task but he is ready to go all out to make his presence felt in his rookie season.
Selected in the second round, Carino will be entering the PBA with high expectations after competing for the Gilas Pilipinas squad under Tab Baldwin two years ago.
“It’s going to be tough,” Carino said.
“June Mar was my idol. I didn’t expect that I would be competing against him in the coming conference but I’m really excited.”
At Terrafirma, Carino will be forming a solid force at the middle with former Ateneo de Manila University star Isaac Go, who is coming from a knee injury.
He, however, stressed that he is looking forward to his looming battle with the 6-foot-9 Fajardo, who is considered as the gold standard among the current crop of big men in the league.
“When I entered the Draft, I already envisioned this moment, going up against June Mar,” he said.
“He was the first one on my mind because I know that he’s the most dominant player out there and we play the same position.”
“I’ll just do my best whenever I face him.”
But more than his personal battles, Carino emphasized that his goal is to help tow the Dyip out of the slump and make the playoffs for the first time ever.
“We’re rookies, but we will definitely give our best, for the team and the management,” Carino said.
