THE clock is ticking.
While a slew of ace players such as Fil-foreign playmakers Jason Brickman, Juan Gómez de Liaño, and Dalph Panopio, and locals L-Jay Gonzales, and former NCAA MVP Will Gozum have applied for the annual PBA Draft, the waiting game on other prized cagers continues.
The likes of Kobe Paras, Fil-Am Remy Martin, Clint Escamis, Mike Phillips, Geo Chiu, and CJ Lane should add luster to the proceedings set Sept. 7 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Paras, the high-flying son of pro league great Benjie, is on a two-year hoops hiatus but should make a big case to emerge as the top pick overall if and when he decides to make the jump to the PBA.
The 6-foot Martin was a member of the title-winning University of Kansas team in the US NCAA in 2022 and is reportedly throwing his name to the list of hopefuls once he sorts out his documents.
Escamis, the hero in Mapua University’s title conquest in the last NCAA cage wars, will be a big upgrade to any squad needing playmaking and scoring.
Chiu, a 6-foot-11 big man, along with the 6-foot-8 Phillips and the 6-foot-10 Lane all can beef up the frontcourt of the side they will play for—again, if they opt to join the Draft.
Phillips, a La Salle mainstay, is waiting for the UAAP’s decision on whether it will allow players to apply for the Draft while the season is ongoing, while Lane is still seeing action for the Batangas City-Tanduay Rhum Masters in the regional pro league MPBL.
After a stellar collegiate career with University of the Philippines in the UAAP, the 6-foot Gómez de Liaño spent the last five years proving his worth in overseas leagues in Japan and Korea.
Gómez de Liaño submitted his papers to the pro league office last night.
His older brother Javi will make a comeback in the PBA after he was shipped by Terrafirma to Magnolia in exchange for shooter Jerrick Ahanmis and a second-round pick in this year’s Draft.
The Dyip own the No. 1 selection, followed by Phoenix.
A Draft Combine will be held on Sept. 4 to 5 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig—the perfect opportunity for the aspirants to showcase their wares—and will be more exciting if the likes of Paras and Co. throw their names into the mix.
