Happy Birthday, Ronnie Matias ( Nov 29 )

Happy Birthday, Ronnie Matias

2009 PBA Rookie Draft 8th overall pick
University of Manila Hawks forward
9-season PBA veteran
5-PBA team player
3x PBA champion
2009 PBL Mythical First Team member

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

RONNIE MATIAS
University of Manila / Born Nov. 29, 1983/ Manila 6-3, Forward
The year's ninth draft selection made a good account of himself as a rookie, demonstrating toughness and versatility in his game. Matias proved to be a blue-collar worker, strong, athletic and aggressive on defense. He's the latest NAASCU product to make the PBA, posting decent averages of 7.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists with a season-best of 23 markers. Another interesting member of the All-Rookie Team, Matias is like Ogie Menor whose hard-nosed work ethic each game earned him a spot in the group. Though he was selected late in the first round, many thought Matias would just be an ordinary player who has limited offensive skills. But the former University of Manila standout showed a little more aside from his defensive skills in 38 games with Air21. In fact, the six-foot-three bruiser was No. 2 among rookies with 7.1 points per game, with a careerbest of 23. His toughness and street smarts were his best weapons to crack the rotation of coach Yeng Guiao and he rewarded the temperamental mentor with decent games all season long, prompting the scribes to gift him with a spot in the All-Rookie Team. "Masaya ako for this achievement and flattered because among the good rookies last year, isa ako sa mga nabigyan ng break," the 26-year-old forward says. "Kahit hindi kami pumasok sa semifinals, okay lang kasi ibinibigay ko naman ang 100 percent ko every game at masaya rin ako kasi pinagkakatiwalaan ako ni coach Yeng." Matias is likely to earn more minutes with the Express this coming season, but he knows he needs to fine-tune his game and prove he's more than a defensive player. But the former Hawk actually showed a glimpse of what he can do offensively as he had games where he scored in double figures. But it is on playing defense, getting those rebounds and providing hustle plays were his concentration last season. "Magsisikap pa ako para mag-improve 'yung game ko. Sana makatulong din ako sa team na makuha ang unang championship namin," Matias says.