FIVE former University of the Philippines standouts were picked in the 48th season PBA rookie Draft three nights back, a testament to the fact that the Fighting Maroons have one of the top collegiate programs in the country.
Zavier Lucero led the list as the fifth overall pick for NorthPort, while Henry Galinato and Ricci Rivero went in the second round to Rain or Shine and Phoenix Super LPG, respectively.
Sixth round selections Joe Gomez de Liaño and J-Boy Gob round out the five from UP.
The Maroons’ next biggest class came exactly a decade ago when Tata Marata, Mike Silungan, Alvin Padilla, and Mark Lopez were drafted. But this is the highest number of former UP cagers under Bo Perasol, who returned to his alma mater in 2016.
“This is something to celebrate for the entire UP community because Fighting Maroons weren’t always considered prospects in the pros. Kung meron man tayo, manaka-naka lang,” Perasol, the former coach and program director who now serves as director of the Office for Athletics and Sports Development, said.
“But ito ngayon, nakikita natin not only do we have a winning culture already, nakakapag-produce na rin tayo ng talent na gusto ng mga team sa pros,” he added.
Lucero and Rivero were key members of the UP side that won the UAAP title for the first time in 36 years in the 84th season last year, while Galinato made the most of his first and only year with the Maroons last season.
UP’s current roster also features pro-ready prospects in graduating guards CJ Cansino and JD Cagulangan. That’s not even including Carl Tamayo, who has opted to see action for the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the Japan B.League.
