Gilas cadets, collegiate standouts apply for PBA Draft
Gilas Cadets against Indonesia during the 28th SEA Games Men’s Basketball final game held at the OCBC Arena Hall 1, Singapore Sports Hub. INQUIRER PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA
Fil-Tongan big man Moala Tautuaa leads the preliminary list of applicants for the upcoming 2015 PBA Rookie Draft.
The 6-foot-7 Tautuaa, hailed as the 2015 PBA D-League Foundation Cup MVP, has been the consensus top pick in the eyes of the scouts. That is just a welcome sight for Talk ‘N Text, which owns the number one selection.
But making a strong argument for the top spot is 6-foot-6 forward Troy Rosario from National University, who has been included in coach Tab Baldwin’s pool for the Gilas Pilipinas squad for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.
Members of the gold medalists Gilas cadets in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games are not to be overlooked with a bevy of guards capable of making a mark in the pro league.
Leading the pack is San Beda’s Baser Amer, who was a driving force in the Red Lions’ five straight championships in the NCAA.
NCAA Season 90 MVP Earl Scottie Thompson is also hoping to translate his incredibly performance for Perpetual to the PBA.
Also eyeing to make a splash in the league is La Salle’s sharpshooter Almond Vosotros, who had an outstanding showing in the biennial meet.
Former San Beda Red Lion and 2014 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup MVP Garvo Lanete will also finally take his wares to the pro league and is poised to join older brother Chico in the PBA.
NU’s Glenn Khobuntin is also an intriguing prospect for teams looking for a wingman, as the 6-foot-4 forward made a good impression with the Gilas cadets.
Stalwarts from the 2015 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup champions Hapee Fresh Fighters have also declared for the annual rookie selection, bannered by San Beda’s Art dela Cruz, Ateneo’s Chris Newsome and Nico Elorde.
The core of the CafeFrance Bakers, the 2015 PBA D-League Foundation Cup titlists, are also seeking to get a crack at the pro league with Fil-Nigerian Maverick Ahanmisi, and CEU standouts Mon Abundo, Joseph Sedurifa, and Samboy de Leon all trying their luck in the draft.
Other collegiate stars who are hoping to get picked in the Draft are UE’s Roi Sumang, UST’s Aljon Mariano, Letran’s Mark Cruz, Mapua’s Josan Nimes, and St. Benilde’s Jonathan Grey.
Cebuana Lhuillier’s spitfire guard Simon Enciso, Cagayan Valley’s Abel Galliguez, Keramix’s Michael DiGregorio, and Jumbo Plastic’s Kris Rosales, meanwhile, are some of the 16 Fil-foreign players who entered their names for the rookie selection.
All 64 rookie hopefuls must participate in the 2015 PBA Rookie Camp slated for August 19 to 20 at Gatorade Hoops Center in Shaw to be eligible for the Draft.
The 2015 PBA Rookie Draft is on August 23 at Robinsons Midtown in Ermita, Manila. CFC
