MANILA – Allaying the fears of PBA fans that they will send away again the No. 1 pick, Columbian Dyip promised to keep the top selection in the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft.
Dyip team governor Bobby Rosales told the media they are eyeing Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates star Jaymar Perez as their top selection in the draft slated on Dec. 16.
“We will draft him and we will keep him,” Rosales said on the NCAA Season 93 and PBA Developmental League MVP awardee. “Promise, we will keep the (No. 1 pick) this time.”
Dyip head coach Johnedel Cardel, for his part, said he already has prospects on who to select but he leaves it up to the management on who to pick in their selection.
“Meron na akong choice kung sino. Sa boss na lang namin. After this one week, usap kami kung sino ang kukunin namin. Kailangan ‘yung makakatulong sa team namin,” said Cardel.
He added: “Kinakailangan ‘wag masayang para walang magulo sa team namin. Kailangan namin energy guy eh. Tapos he can defend, tapos trapping defense. Gusto namin mabilis ang laro.”
Last year, the franchise courted controversy after it chose to trade its coveted No. 1 selection to San Miguel Beermen in exchange for a slew of reserve players.
That No. 1 pick turned out to be Filipino-German Christian Standhardinger while the role players the Dyip received were Ilonggo Ronald Tubid, Rashawn McCarthy and Jay-R Reyes.
All in all, the Dyip tallied a 6-27 win-loss slate in the 2017-2018 PBA Season — finishing at last place in Philippine Cup with 1-10 slate, ninth in Commissioner’s Cup with 4-7, card and last again in Governors’ Cup with 1-10 card./PN
