MANILA – Dreams of most of the 47 rookie aspirants are set to be realized today when the Philippine Basketball Association holds its annual Rookie Draft at Robinsons Place in Ermita district.
Former collegiate MVP awardees Jaymar Perez and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. as well as NCAA top gunner Robert Bolick are tipped to be selected as the top three in the proceedings set at 4 p.m.
Also expected to be drafted in the first round are Abu Tratter, Jayvee Mocon, Kier Quinto, Trevis Jackson, Paul Desiderio, Rodolfo Alejandro, Matthew Salem, Carlos Isit, John Paul Calvo, Michael Calisaan, and Bernabe Teodoro.
Other prospects from UAAP are Kristoffer Porter, Jeepy Faundo, Kent Lao, Ron Dennison, Gideon Babilonia, Paul Varilla, Ivan Villanueva, Dan Alberto, Kyles Lao, Joe Trinidad, Robbie Manalang, Harold Ng, Ryan Monteclaro, and Diego Dario.
Meanwhile, former NCAA cagers in the Draft candidates’ list are Jeffrey Ongteco, Jerome Garcia, Jeremiah Taladua, Kim Cinco, Ralph Salcedo, Cyrus Tabi, Chris dela Peña, Jesper Ayaay, Antonio Coronel, and Jeric Serrano.
Also trying their luck are former PBA D-League players Joseph Manlangit, Steven Cudal, Edrian Lao, Dan Wong, Oliver Arim, John Ragasa, Emmanuel Calo, Jorey Napoles, and Al Josef Cariaga.
Of the 48 players that submitted their rookie application until last Monday, only former University of the East Red Warriors’ Rodel de Leon was removed after failing to attend the pre-Draft workout.
Set to pick first in the draft are Columbian Dyip, followed by Blackwater Elite, NorthPort Batang Pier, NLEX Road Warriors, Meralco Bolts, and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Completing the first round of selection are the Road Warriors, the Elasto Painters, Alaska Aces, Magnolia Hotshots, the Dyip, and the Fuel Masters. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, San Miguel Beermen and TNT KaTropa have no selections in the first round./PN
