COLUMBIAN is bent on improving on its modest gains and added more tools to achieve that in yesterday’s PBA Rookie Draft at the Robinson’s Place-Ermita.
The Dyip tabbed Ateneo big man Isaac Go with the top pick overall in the special draft and then chose Fil-Am forward Roosevelt Adams and scrappy Christian Balagasay in the first round of the regular draft.
Columbian also exercised its rights on other players but coach Johnedel Cardel was pleased most with their choice of Go, Adams and Balagasay.
“We’re very happy with what we got,” said Cardel. “Even though hindi pa makakalaro si Go, iyung dalawa puwede na and we’re sure malaki maitutulong nila sa amin.”
Also in the special draft, Blackwater went with two-time CESAFI MVP Rey Suerte, while NLEX took Ateneo guard Matt Nieto. Alaska went with San Sebastian’s Allyn Bulanadi and Rain or Shine got Ateneo captain Mike Nieto.
The drafting teams will only hold rights on those players, however, and will be able to enlist them only once they are released by the SBP from Gilas Pilipinas.
In the regular draft, Blackwater went for 6-foot-9 center Maurice Shaw at second, NLEX chose guard Mike Anoyanon, Alaska got Barkley Ebona while Rain or Shine, picking fifth to seventh, went for Adrian Wong, Clint Doliguez and Prince Rivero in that order.
