MANILA, Philippines - The Salisbury University men's basketball team added international representation this week as former Sea Gull
Paul Garcia was selected with the 10th pick of the third round in the 49th Season Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Draft by a storied organization in Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Garcia, a native of Rockville, Md. and a proud Filipino American, will head to the PBA for Season 49 and currently suits up for Quezon City Toda Aksyon of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). Before the blossoming of his professional career, Garcia made the tough decision to forego his graduate season at Salisbury and finish his college ball in the Philippines.
"I considered everyone there my brothers, so it was a really tough decision to leave," Garcia said. "I knew I could have possibly had the best season I'd ever had at Salisbury, but my calling was in the Philippines. I'm always proud to be a Sea Gull and represent the program anywhere I go, especially knowing that I have the support from the coaches and former teammates that I consider my family."
Garcia landed with Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, where he went on to win the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Championship with the 2022 Blue Eagles squad. He also suited up for the Pampanga Giant Lanterns before joining Toda Aksyon.
The former Sea Gull made his presence felt right away, dropping 22 points in his debut game with his current team.
"For me, it's no surprise," head coach
Maurice Williams said of Garcia's selection. "When Paul came in during my first year as the head coach here, he just loved to work. He loved getting in the gym and doing the things most players don't like to do. I knew this was something he was very passionate about, so it's special for me to see for a young man who's been very driven and focused on the process."
Garcia's new squad posted a 7-4 record in the 2023-24 elimination stage, advancing to the semifinal before falling to the Meralco Bolts. Widely known as the most popular team in the league, Garcia eyes a season alongside some of the sport's best on the horizon.
"It was a dream come true to hear my name called and to walk across the stage," Garcia said. "It meant even more because of the team that drafted me, they're every Filipino's favorite team and their history runs deep. On top of that, I am a fan of all the veterans on the team, so to be able to practice with them is something I'm looking forward to."
The 5-11 guard laced up with the maroon and gold from 2019-2022, appearing in 42 games while making six starts. In a shortened sample size during the 2020-21 campaign, Garcia shot just under 50 percent from the floor and 48 percent from beyond the arc.
From Covenant Life School in Gaithersburg, Md., all the way to the brightest lights in the Philippines, Garcia has overcome each obstacle in his path in his career so far. Williams sees no signs of that trend ending for Garcia in the PBA.
"All he's ever needed was an opportunity," Williams said. "Now that he has that, I fail to believe that he won't be successful, he's always found a way to do it and this is no different."
Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with the New Jersey Athletic Conference for football and men's and women's swimming, and the Coastal Lacrosse Conference for men's lacrosse. With over 500 student-athletes in 23Â varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the most competitive intercollegiate athletics programs regardless of division, featuring dedicated coaches and staff that foster excellence on and off the field. The Sea Gulls have celebrated 23 team national championships, 24 individual national champions, 199Â conference championships, and 50 Academic All-Americans.
To Make Tomorrow Yours at Salisbury University, and learn more about Sea Gull Athletics' tradition of excellence, visit www.SUSeaGulls.com or follow on social media @SUSeaGulls.
