Jeric Fortuna is putting his pilot dreams on hold as he is set to return to the PBA by way of the NorthPort Batang Pier.
The former University of Santo Tomas star, though, bared he is not entirely dropping his dream to become a pilot. The 5-foot-8 guard will play for the rest of the 2018 Governors' Cup but will return to aviation school immediately after.
"I'll be delayed. The good thing about our flying school is you can finish the course at your own pace," Fortuna told ESPN5 in an online interview.
His path back to the PBA was actually an accident. Fortuna said he missed playing basketball, so he sent NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio a message, asking if he could join the team's training sessions.
It turned out he came at the most opportune time for the Batang Pier, who are in dire need of additional firepower with main man Stanley Pringle suiting up for the Philippine team in the ongoing Asian Games, and Jeric Teng, Nico Elorde, and Sean Anthony nursing injuries.
There's also a strong chance Pringle will extend his tour of duty for Gilas should head coach Yeng Guiao choose to include him in the final lineup for the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers in September.
With a depleted roster, the Batang Pier suffered a 0-2 record in the season-ending conference, the last an embarrassing 132-91 loss to Phoenix.
"It's rainy season. It's tough to fly in this weather. So I texted coach Pido if I could join their practice. They were in need of players so I made the lineup," said Fortuna, who last played for Alab Pilipinas.
"I wasn't expecting anything when I texted him. They also didn't make any promises since I've been away from basketball for a long time. I'm thankful to the coaching staff for giving me this opportunity."
The two-time PBA champion with the San Miguel Beermen will have no problem easing into NorthPort's system. After all, the pint-sized playmaker is no stranger to Jarencio, having played for the firebrand mentor at UST.
Together, the two reached the UAAP Final Four thrice and the championship round against Ateneo led by Greg Slaughter and Kiefer Ravena.