Happy Birthday, Robert Vincent “Dodot” Jaworski, Jr. ( Oct 14 )

Happy Birthday, Robert Vincent “Dodot” Jaworski, Jr.

1995 PBA Rookie Draft 10th overall pick
1997 PBA Commissioner’s Cup champion
3-season PBA player
Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles guard

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

Robert "Dodot" Jaworski Jr. has far downplayed huge expectations on him with his brand of play. But a true fighter, he has certainly not lost hope that this season could well be a "breakthrough" year for him. "I'm not thinking of it anymore. All I want is to do my part in the team and play well," said the man fondly called Dodot. "It serves as a big challenge for me to improve in my game but I don't want to put more pressure on myself." The second of four siblings of Gordon's playing-coach Robert and Evelyn Jaworski, Dodot was like a man in a hurry for the big time when he spent only a year with the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) while skipping the amateur Philippine Basketball League (PBL), the training ground for future pros. "I would've liked to spend some years in the PBL to home my game but opportunity just knocks once," Dodot recalled when he was selected as a second round pick by Ginebra San Miguel in the 1995 rookie draft. "It was just too good to refuse." Just like in college where he played just three games for the Blue Eagles, the young Jaworski missed his entire rookie season as he nursed his severe ankle injury, ran for councilor in San Juan and won, as well as earned a college degree. Finally getting rid of his other commitments, Dodot took the plunge midway into last season, suiting up in the Commissioner's Cup, getting out of the injured list and replacing fellow rookie Mike Orquillas on the roster. It has been a struggle for him from then on. "It's been a tough adjustment for me. In college, I used to guard forwards, too, but smaller bodies," said Dodot. "Here, the forward are bigger and heavier." With people watching his every move, he sometimes has to sacrifice playing time to avoid accusing his father of favoring him, as long as the team wins. "More than anything, the team should first be the priority. Never mind the playing time," Dodot stressed. But this season, a wide horizon has opened for him with the imminent departure of disgruntled center EJ Feihl and the temporary sidelining of relief center Wilmer Ong. This has forced the older Jaworski to dig deep into his bench. Certainly, Dodot will be utilized for defensive purposes. "Ngayon nga kulang kami sa malalaki so we have to make do of what we have," Dodot pointed out, noticing his increased minutes in the preseason and the team's first official game against Formula Shell which they won, 88-81. "We have to fortify the team with our capabilities." Ranged against bigger guys like Joey Santamaria of Mobiline, Cadel Mosqueda of Purefoods and Jolly Escobar of Shell, Dodot has encountered difficulty matching up, sizewise. But he says there's still room for improvement. "The players I'm assigned to defend against are bigger, heavier guys so I have to adjust quickly and strengthen my upper body more," he said. "But I also hope the referees call it fair in defense." Such a complain came up when Dodot's teammate Marlou Aquino was double or tripleteamed and was being roughed up yet no foul was called. But when Dodot played straight but solid defense against Escobar, the referees had it tough for him, getting him slapped with four quick fouls. And this, he hopes, will change. "Marlou was getting banged up yet no foul was called while I get quick fouls despite doing straight defense, Dodot rued." I hope the referee call it fair. I'll do my part as well."