NOW comes the crucial prelude to the annual PBA Draft.
Rookie hopefuls today go through the initial phase of Sunday’s proceedings as they participate in the two-day Draft Combine at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Applicants are required to show up in the traditional event where players undergo physical, athletic, and medical evaluations with scouts, coaches, and team managers watching.
A total of 128 players has applied for this year’s Draft set for Sept. 7 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay.
Due to the large number of participants, the players were grouped into 12 teams, who will undergo measurements and biometrics at the start of the Draft Combine.
An hour-long orientation will also be held to acquaint and familiarize the cagers with the Unified Players’ Contract or UPC.
Shortly after, the different squads will begin playing against each other, which will carry on until tomorrow, eventually culminating in a title match and the awarding of an MVP and Mythical Selection.
A three-point shootout is also slated tomorrow just before the semifinal matches.
San Beda’s Yukien Andrada and 6-foot-9 Ladis Lepalan of College of St. Benilde lead Team A-1 (Blackwater), the duo of Tony Ynot (St. Benilde) and Jason Brickman team up for Team A-2 (Ginebra), Emmanuel Codinera—son of pro league great Jerry—and fellow former University of Santo Tomas product and Fil-Am Geremy Robinson link up with Kyle Tolentino of Letran and FEU’s Ximone Sandagon in a stacked up Team A-3 (Converge), while burly Lorenz Capulong of Arellano, Letran’s Vince Cuajao, and Kascius Small-Martin spearhead Team B-1 (Magnolia).
Team B-2 (Meralco) features Qatar-based Jacey Kleon Cruz and Adamson’s Aaron Flowers, Team B-3 (NLEX) will have top prospects Geo Chiu and Will Gozum, Team C-1 (Northport) is led by top pick candidate Juan Gomez de Liano, and Team C-2 (Phoenix) is beefed up by Christopher Koon of Ateneo and King Gurtiza of Emilio Aguinaldo College.
One-time University of the East skipper Jack Cruz-Dumont banners Team C-3 (Rain or Shine), La Salle’s CJ Austria, Growing Tiger Christian Manaytay, and LJay Gonzales of Far Eastern University head Team D-1 (San Miguel Beer), former Batang Gilas Harvey Pagsanjan and Ateneo’s Sean Quiteves show the way for Team D-2 (Terrafirma), and Fil-Italian playmaker Dalph Panopio and San Beda’s Gabriel Cometa carry the task to head Team D-3 (TNT).
