WITH his dream of playing in the professional ranks just a step away, Cebuano bruiser William McAloney is prepared to give it his all in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Draft Combine at the Hoops Center in Mandaluyong on Thursday, December 5, 2019.

McAloney, a former University of San Carlos Warrior, is ready to take his act to the next stage after starring for Cebu in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League this season with averages of 18 points and almost 11 rebounds per game.

Before he gets to hear his name being called in the Draft, the left-handed big man must first prove himself to coaches and scouts in the Combine on Wednesday and Thursday.

“I’m very excited and at the same time, I’m nervous,” said McAloney, who added that he is prepared to take on whatever challenges the Combine would throw at him and the rest of the Draft applicants.

After helping lead USC to the Cesafi title in 2015, McAloney surprisingly dropped out and embarked on a nomadic basketball journey that saw him barnstorm one “panalay” league after another in various parts of the country. As fate would have it, he now finds himself at the cusp of becoming a pro — a development that he finds most surprising.

“I did not expect that my career would turn out this way. After the Cesafi, I basically stopped but God is good. To tell you the truth, I can’t believe that I am now in the position that I am in right now in my career. I prayed everyday for the things that I have now,” said McAloney.

McAloney guaranteed that whichever team would pick him would be getting his all and then some.

“Whatever they need me to do out on the court, I would do. That’s what I would give especially on defense,” said McAloney. “I am living the dream right now so I’m going to do everything I can to keep it going.”

The 2019 PBA Draft would be held on Sunday, December 8, 2019, at the Robinson’s Place Manila. (JNP)