Gabby Espinas

2-gabby-espinas
Name: Gabriel Gabby Espinas
Nick Name: Gabby
Monicker:
Birthday: January 3, 1982
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 190lbs
Position: Small Forward/Power Forward
Jersey No: 10
Year drafted: Selected fifth overall by San Miguel Beer (now Magnolia) in the 2006 Rookie Draft along with fourth pick LA Tenorio.
Years Pro: 2
College: Philippine Christian University
Hobbies: Basketball and reading
Hometown: Olongapo City / Zambales

Player’s note:
A very promising player to enter in the 2006 PBA rookie draft after leading PCU to its first ever NCAA championship.

Espinas was picked fifth overall by San Miguel Beer together with fourth pick LA Tenorio in the 2006 rookie draft. But despite the limited time in the playing court due to San Miguel Beer’s many talented big men, Espinas stayed consistent.

Every time he was given a chance to play, Espinas was showing his true deadly form by jockeying for position to get some rebounds and make put backs. He was also a good fast break finisher, so he was a good addition to the Express’ line up.

Achievements: Led Philippine Christian University, under mentor Loreto Tolentino, to its first ever NCAA championship in 2004. He is the first player in NCAA history to capture the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year awards at the same year.

Led Harbour Centre to its first ever PBL title before moving to Hapee Toothpaste, where he delivered the team to two semifinals appearance.

Career-high: Espinas had a career-high 12 points in San Miguel Beer’s 108-104 win over Air21 last Christmas at the big dome.

He scored 24 points in PCU’s 74-72 win against San Sebastian last June 30, 2006.

In 2005, Espinas made a remarkable performance as he tallied a career-high 27 points and grabbed 18 boards to power PCU to a 68-51 win over Jose Rizal U last July 11, 2005.

More about the player:
A left-handed player, who loves to run the floor, plays defense and scores. Possessed with strong upper body and bulky frame, Espinas is also a good post up player according to scouts.

Espinas is a good perimeter shooter and can shoot threes too.

Statistics: Espinas averaged 10.6 points and 11.4 rebounds per game in his rookie year in PCU, he improved to 14.3 and 11.4 in 2005 and in 2006 he averaged 14.3 and 9.7.

Espinas averaged 10.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1 block per game in the last PBL tournament. He averaged less than five points and seven rebounds to San Miguel Beer (now Magnolia) in his first two years.