WHO will emerge as this year’s top pick overall in the PBA draft?
Seventy-five rookie hopefuls beat the draft application deadline last Friday in their bid to realize their dreams of playing in the pro league.
Brandon Ganuelas Rosser, Jeremiah Gray, and Sedrick Barefield banner the Fil-Am applicants in the proceedings to be held face-to-face for the first time in two years on May 15 at the Robinsons Place Manila.
Ganuelas-Rosser and Gray, two highly touted cagers, were ruled ineligible last year but are expected to make it this year after the PBA relaxed its rules on Fil-foreign applicants.
Ganuelas-Rosser proved his worth with Limitless App in the PBA 3×3 play, while Gray also suited up in the meet but is recovering from an ACL injury.
Former La Salle big man and Gilas Pilipinas national team training pool member Justine Baltazar, Ateneo guards Gian Mamuyac and Tyler Tio, center Justin Arana of Arellano University, San Sebastian College’s JM Calma, Jeo Ambohot of Letran, National University’s Shaun Ildefonso, Encho Serrano and Jollo Go, also former Green Archers, and former Japan B.League player Javi Gomez de Liaño lead the local prospects.
Javi’s younger brother, Juan, who saw action in the fledgling Japan league, and University of the Philippines’ Ricci Rivero opted not to join the draft.
Commissioner Willie Marcial was surprised with the number of draft applicants.
“Actually, hindi ko ini-expect na aabot ng 75 dahil sa pandemic at iba pang factors,” Marcial said. “Mga 50 of 60 lang ang estimate ko after noong record 90 last season.”
A two-day Draft Combine on May 11 and 12 will also be held at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.
The first day is reserved for anthropometry tests where the players’ height, weight, vertical leap, among others, are measured for record purposes.
The final day will have all applicants spread out to all 12 teams and play a mini tilt where a champion and finals MVP are named.
Blackwater owns the first and ninth picks overall, followed by Terrafirma at No. 2, while Converge selects at third and fourth, and Rain or Shine fifth.
Closing out the first round are NorthPort at sixth, NLEX at seventh, Ginebra at eighth, the Painters at 11th anew, and Magnolia at 12th.
