Pampanga prodigy Jay Pangalangan was thrilled to meet MVP June Mar Fajardo. Snow Badua

PAMPANGA basketball prodigy Jay Pangalangan realized a dream when he finally got to watch a PBA game live featuring his idols June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, and Calvin Abueva.

But that one night at the Big Dome only fed a bigger dream: To play in the PBA someday.

Spin.ph witnessed the 6-foot-7 teenager set foot on the floor of the Smart Araneta Coliseum, dubbed the sports mecca of the Philippines, for the first time and meet his idol Fajardo in the flesh.

It was obvious the 15-year-old was star-struck at the sight of the 6-10 Fajardo, who took time out to shake Pangalangan’s hand and give the aspiring player some words of advice.

“Practice ka lang ng mabuti boy, wag kang papadala sa mga bisyo, matulog ka ng maaga,” said Fajardo while tapping the back of Pangalangan after Game Four of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

Fajardo also let out a joke: “DotA (online computer game) lang ang bisyo, okay lang ‘yun.”

The young cager, trained under a program launched in Pampanga by vice governor Dennis Pineda, gave his word to his Cebuano idol.

“Magaling po kayo, makakaasa po kayo na susundin ko and payo n’yo at balang araw, pangako ko po sa inyo, makakasangga ko rin kayo,” replied Pangalangan before asking for his first photo opportunity with the San Miguel Beer superstar.

Pangalangan’s dad Abel was filled with happiness at the sight of his son meeting Fajardo, something that he said will help inspire him as he tries to make a name in Philippine basketball.

“Makakatulong yang meeting na ‘yan. Malaking makakatulong sa bata ‘yun, yung nanood siya ng live, para ma-visualize niya (kung paano ang maging isang PBA player),” said the elder Pangalangan.

“Gusto nga raw n’ya maglaro eh. Sabi ko mararating mo ‘yan kung magsikap ka lang. Hindi naman maliligaw ng landas si Jay kasi andyan naman sina vice gov na tumututok sa bata,” Pangalangan said.

Pangalangan said his PBA experience further motivated him to persevere.

“Naramdaman ko po na makukuha ko ‘yung championship sa Palaro (Palarong Pambansa), mas naging determined po ako,” he said. “Nakaka-inspire po kasi ng marami. Makakatulong po ito sa akin.

“Lalo na po yun, binigyan ako ni Fajardo ng payo, na-congratulate niya ko. Kaya talagang sisikapin ko po na madala ang Pampanga (Central Luzon’s men’s seniors basketball representative) sa championship ng Palaro,” he added.

Pangalangan’s teammate and Team Delta star forward Austin Cabatana believes Pangalangan has what it takes to be dominant the PBA in the near future.

“Pwede pa ho siyang mag-improve ng marami pa, lalo na pag pinag-buti pa niya. Para rin po kasing kagaya ni Fajardo laro niya, pwedeng mag-low post, kayang mag-drive saka may shooting na rin po siya,” he said.

At his current pace, Pangalangan is expected to reach seven feet (Fajardo said he was only 6-3 when he was Pangalanan’s age). But the teenager declared that he doesn’t want to limit himself to a big man’s role.

“Gusto ko rin po kasi na lumaro ng small forward (three spot). Kasi kaya ko naman po, lagi ko nga po ‘yun ginagawa,” the Pampanga-born player said.