Gabby Espinas

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Gabriel (Gabby) Espinas (born January 3, 1982 in Olongapo City, Zambales, Philippines) is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing for the San Miguel Beermen in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was born of an African-American father, who was once stationed in Subic but died when Gabby himself was only five years old, and a Filipina mother.[1] A 6'4" power forward-center, he was drafted 5th overall by the Beermen in the 2006 PBA Draft. He made a name in the amateur ranks as the first-ever Rookie of the Year-Most Valuable Player of the National Collegiate Athletic Association while playing for the Philippine Christian University (PCU) Dolphins.

[edit] Amateur career

Espinas began to play for PCU in the NCAA in the 2004 season. With Espinas, Robert Sanz, Jason Castro and Ian Garrido playing and with head coach Loreto Tolentino handling duties, the Dolphins made it to the Final Four for the first time since 2002.

After defeating the defending champion Letran Knights, PCU defeated the UPHSD Altas in the finals with Espinas scoring double-double numbers in the Final Four and the championship series.

He became the first NCAA player to be named as the Rookie of the Year and the Most Valuable Player in the same season. San Beda's Sam Ekwe followed suit in the 2006 season.

From 2005-2006, he led the Dolphins to the finals only to lose to Letran and San Beda, respectively. However, he was still named to the Mythical Five in both seasons.

He debuted in the Philippine Basketball League in 2005 for the Harbour Centre Portmasters playing alongside Mark Cardona, LA Tenorio, Magnum Membrere and PCU teammates Castro and Sanz.

After a stint with Harbour, he played his final two conferences with the Hapee-PCU squad, leading them to the semifinals in the Heroes Cup.

[edit] Professional career

In the 2006 PBA Draft, Espinas was drafted fifth-overall by the San Miguel Beermen. After his time with PCU, he was quickly signed by San Miguel to a rookie contract. He made his PBA debut in a game against Red Bull and played an impressive performances despite the loss.

He has since played the reserve role for the Beermen after the team acquired the services of Rommel Adducul and Lordy Tugade plus the return from injury of Danny Ildefonso.

[edit] External links

Preceded by N/A	NCAA Men's Basketball Rookie of the Year 2004	Succeeded by Kelvin dela Peña
Preceded by Leo Najorda	NCAA Men's Basketball Most Valuable Player 2004	Succeeded by Jay Sagad