I still remember the first time I watched Leo Avenido play back in 2014. There was something about his relentless energy on the court that caught my eye - this undrafted player fighting for every possession like his career depended on it. Little did I know then that I was witnessing the beginning of one of the most remarkable transformations in PBA history. When I recently spoke with PBA Board vice chairman Bobby Rosales about Avenido's journey, his words stuck with me: "Sobrang pasalamat. Pag-alis nga, nagtext pa ulit. Nagpapasalamat na naman. Nine years siya, e." That genuine gratitude after nine years in the league speaks volumes about the man behind the jersey.
What fascinates me about Avenido's story isn't just his statistical improvement - though going from averaging 4.2 points in his rookie season to becoming a consistent double-digit scorer is impressive enough. It's the complete overhaul of his approach to the game that truly stands out. I've followed countless players throughout my years covering Philippine basketball, but few have demonstrated this level of intentional evolution. He arrived in the PBA as primarily a defensive specialist, but through what I can only describe as obsessive dedication, transformed himself into a legitimate two-way threat. The numbers tell part of the story - his three-point percentage jumped from 28% to nearly 39% at his peak - but they don't capture the countless hours of extra practice that must have gone into that improvement.
I've always believed that the true measure of a player isn't just their talent, but their capacity for reinvention. Avenido embodies this philosophy. Around his fifth season, something clicked. He started taking smarter shots, developed a reliable mid-range game, and became more selective with his defensive gambles. This wasn't just natural progression - this was deliberate, calculated improvement. I remember watching him during the 2018 Commissioner's Cup where he averaged 16.3 points over a crucial five-game stretch, carrying his team when their import was struggling. That's when I realized we weren't watching the same player who entered the league years earlier.
The gratitude that Rosales mentioned isn't just polite professionalism - it's become central to understanding Avenido's longevity. In my conversations with people around the league, they consistently mention how he treats every game opportunity as a privilege rather than an entitlement. This mindset, I've observed, often separates transient talents from lasting contributors. While some players with far more natural ability have come and gone, Avenido has carved out a nine-year career through sheer will and continuous improvement. His story challenges the conventional wisdom that players peak in their mid-to-late twenties - here's someone who kept getting better well into his thirties.
What many fans might not realize is how close Avenido came to not having a PBA career at all. Before getting drafted, he bounced around various commercial leagues, never quite finding his footing. That background, I suspect, fuels the appreciation Rosales described. When you've experienced basketball obscurity, the PBA stage feels different. I've noticed this pattern with several players who took unconventional paths to the league - they tend to have longer careers because they understand how quickly it can all disappear. Avenido plays with that awareness every minute he's on the court.
The transformation wasn't just physical or technical - it was mental. Watching him over the years, I've seen his basketball IQ evolve dramatically. Early in his career, he relied mostly on athleticism. Later, he developed this nuanced understanding of spacing, timing, and defensive schemes that made him valuable even when his athletic advantages diminished. This cerebral approach is why he remained effective as he aged - adapting his game to compensate for whatever physical attributes time had eroded. Honestly, I wish more young players would study his career trajectory rather than just focusing on highlight plays.
There's a lesson here that extends beyond basketball. In my own career as a sports analyst, I've had to reinvent my approach multiple times as the media landscape changed. Like Avenido adjusting to new coaching systems and evolving player roles, professionals in any field need that capacity for growth. His nine-year journey, marked by consistent gratitude and improvement, offers a blueprint for sustainable success in competitive environments. The text message of thanks Rosales mentioned after their meeting - that's not just politeness, that's the hallmark of someone who understands that relationships and attitude matter as much as ability.
As I reflect on Avenido's career, what stands out most isn't any single game or statistic. It's the cumulative effect of daily dedication. The extra shots after practice, the film study, the nutritional discipline - these unsexy details built the foundation for his transformation. While flashier players captured more headlines, Avenido quietly built a career that outlasted many of them. In today's era of instant gratification, his story reminds us that meaningful transformation happens gradually, through consistent effort applied over years. That text message of gratitude? That's the sound of someone who never forgot what it felt like to almost not make it - and who approaches every day accordingly.
