PBA: Cade Flores feels ‘disrespected’ after All-Star’s RSJ game snub

Cade Flores didn’t hold back when sharing how he felt about the upcoming PBA All-Star Weekend.

The NorthPort youngster said he felt “disrespected” upon learning that he wasn’t selected as one of the players seeing action in the Rookie-Sophomore-Junior game in the annual All-Star festivities set later this month in Bacolod.

“I was mad just because I felt like I was disrespected but you know me, I play with my heart. I play hard on defense and I’m always like gritty in a way that I just have passion,” Flores said after pouring in a double-double in the Batang Pier’s 112-104 overtime win against Converge on Sunday night.

“But yeah, when I saw I didn’t get selected, I was like ‘ridiculous’. It’s gotta be a popularity thing, I’m not really big on social media. If it’s based on stats then I should be in there.”

Flores is running second to Terrafirma’s Stephen Holt in the Rookie of the Year race by the end of the Commissioner’s Cup, where he averaged 8.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.2 blocks.

But based on the voting results, the former Arellano University standout wasn’t part of the 20-man RSJ pool to suit up in the game.

SMB guard Kyt Jimenez headlines the Stalwarts alongside Flores’ teammates John Amores, Fran Yu, JM Calma, and Joshua Munzon as well as Holt. Adrian Nocum, Kim Aurin, JM Calma, Joshua Munzon, Anton Asistio, Santi Santillan, and Keith Zaldivar complete the Peter Martin-coached squad.

Meanwhile, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser banners the Greats together with Javi Gomez de Liaño, Ken Tuffin, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Justin Arana, Ralph Cu, Andrei Caracut, RK Ilagan, Alec Stockton, Gian Mamuyac, James Laput, and Shaun Ildefonso.

Flores stressed he will use his non-inclusion as motivation moving forward.

“A little disrespectful but it is what it is. I’m gonna use it as a determination to play the hardest,” he added.

“I didn’t even find out myself. I’m just gonna show ‘em what I got during this conference.”

Flores immediately showed that in NorthPort’s first two games in the Philippines Cup. Flores, a former NCAA Rookie of the Year and member of both Mythical Five and All-Defensive Team in his lone playing year in Season 98, churned out 14 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and three steals to help the Batang Pier escape the FiberXers for their breakthrough win.

—JMB, GMA integrated News