MANILA – Columbian Dyip made its first move in rebuilding its team ahead of the 2019 PBA Season by picking Jaymar Perez as its No. 1 pick in the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft on Sunday at Robinson’s Place in Ermita, Manila.
The top selection of the former NCAA MVP did not come as a surprise following his stellar amateur career that saw him towing Lyceum Pirates to NCAA finals twice and leading Zark’s Burger to PBA Developmental League championship.
The Pangasinan native Perez admitted that there is pressure on his part after he was made the No. 1 overall selection but is determined to give his best in helping the Dyip rise from the cellar.
“Pressure ‘yun (No. 1 pick) kasi mas malaki ang expectations ng mga tao sa iyo,” he said. “Lakas loob akong nag-apply para sa Draft at sobrang blessed lang namin lahat na makaabot sa sitwasyon na ito kaya talagang sobrang happy ko lang.”
He added: “Pinangarap ko ito simula pa nung bata ako kaya sobrang excited ako na makarating sa PBA. Gusto ko lang ma-i-contribute ‘yung effort at dedication sa laro para manalo.”
Selected after Perez was another amateur MVP in Bobby Ray Parks Jr. to the Blackwater Elite, while at No. 3 was three-point gunner Robert Bolick to NorthPort Batang Pier.
NLEX Road Warriors, meanwhile, made a surprise in the selection as it made Andres Paul Desiderio as its No. 4 overall pick, while Trevis Jackson was drafted by Meralco Bolts at No. 5.
At No. 6, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters selected Jayvee Mocon, while the Road Warriors picked Abu Tratter at No. 7, Painters get back on the board by picking Rodolfo Alejandro at No. 8, while Alaska Aces chose Jesper Ayaay at No. 9.
Completing the list of players drafted in the first round are Michael Calisaan to Magnolia Hotshots at No. 10, Negrense John Paul Calvo to Dyip at No. 11 and Jorey Napoles at No. 12 to the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
Selected in the second round are Paul Varilla (Painters), Kier Quinto (Bolts), Jeepy Faundo (Hotshots), Kris Porter (Road Warriors), Gideon Babilonia (Aces), Cyrus Tabi (Dyip), Robbie Manalang (Painters), Harold Ng (Painters), Ron Dennison (Fuel Masters), and Joe Trinidad (Fuel Masters).
Drafted in third round are Bernabe Teodoro (Dyip), Diego Dario (Elite), Edrian Lao (Batang Pier), Ivan Villanueva (Fuel Masters), Steve Cudal (Bolts), JR Ongteco (TNT KaTropa), Kyles Lao (Road Warriors), Kent Lao (Painters), Ryan Monteclaro (San Miguel Beermen), Matt Salem (Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings)./PN
