THE long and winding road to the PBA begins today.
Seventy rookie hopefuls will be tested–their skills and grit included–as the pro league holds its annual Draft Combine at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
All prospects will undergo biometrics and get to perform various athletic tests and shooting drills during the two-day event that winds up tomorrow at the same venue.
The cagers will then be grouped into six teams and play 5-on-5 matches starting in the afternoon of the opening day leading up to the second and final day of the event where Asia’s first play-for-pay league’s coaches or their deputies are expected to scour for their picks.
Awarding ceremonies will also be held at the end of the mini-tournament where an MVP and Mythical Team will be named.
A short orientation will also be held where all applicants would be briefed about how things work in the PBA.
After the Combine, the list will be reduced to its final number in time for the proceedings set this Sunday, July 14, at the Glorietta Mall in Makati.
Converge owns the No. 1 overall pick followed by Blackwater, Terrafirma, Phoenix, and Northport.
Drafting sixth is NLEX, then Rain or Shine with the next two selections, Magnolia, Ginebra, Meralco, and finally San Miguel.
Aside from leading top selection candidate Justine Baltazar, the likes of Evan Nelle, CJ Cansino, Fil-Ams Caelan Tiongson and Ben Phillips, RJ Abarrientos, Jonnel Policarpio, Francis Escandor, DJ Mitchell, Calvin Payawal, CJ Catapusan, and Paul Garcia, Peter Alfaro, Jielo Razon, and Brandon Ramirez make up the initial list of rookie hopefuls.
