CHRIS Banchero AUGUST DELA CRUZ / INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — There were no surprises in the PBA D-League draft on Thursday as prized guard Chris Banchero came out as the top pick by Boracay Rum Waves.
There’s no doubt that Banchero, an Asean Basketball League finals MVP, is head and shoulders above other players in the draft pool, who are mostly standouts from the collegiate league.
While the Waves got the jackpot, other teams still had a plenty to choose from.
Big Chill tabbed Perpetual Help’s Juneric Baloria, Blackwater landed Fil-American Andrew Avillanoza, Cagayan Valley got Adamson’s Don Trollano, while Hog’s Breath chose Letran’s Ford Ruaya. Wang’s Basketball Team selected little known Benedict Adamos, and Jumbo Plastic went for St. Benilde’s Mark Romero.
All new players are required to join the draft to be eligible to play for the league’s 2013 season.
But those who are included in the line-up of school-based teams are deemed exempted from joining the Draft but they are considered picks of their respective teams.
Café France is supporting the basketball program of Centro Escolar Univeristy while Cebuana Lhuillier forged a tie-up with the University of the East.
Also ceding their first round picks are four-time champion NLEX-San Beda, Air 21-Arellano, M Builders-Trinity University, UR Value-University of the Philippines, and Banco de Oro-National University.
A total of 58 aspirants were drafted in a span of 15 rounds from the official list of 111 candidates. Those who were not selected are considered rookie free agents and can sign up with any team in the league.
First ever PBA D-League draft at the league office in Libis, QC. INQUIRER.net’s CELEST FLORES
In the second round, Boracay Rum also got a solid pick in Far Eastern University’s trusty forward Mark Belo while Big Chill went for La Salle guard LA Revilla. Blackwater added Adamson’s star guard Jericho Cruz, while NLEX drafted former Green Archer Philip Paredes.
Cagayan Valley chose University of Visayas’ Rene Saycon, Hog’s Breath selected Jamil Gabawan, Jumbo Plastic went for St. Benilde’s Dexter Garcia, and Wang Ball Club tabbed Raymond Alvarado.
Other players who were drafted are John Marco Tayongtong, Jed Manguera, Francis Abarcar, Randy Dilay, Allen Etrone, Rafael Sanchez, Ar-Raouf Julkipli, Gian Abrigo, Joshua Cubillo, Van Abatayo, Alex Austria, Mark Franco, Christian Palma, John Rey Alabanza and Joemarie Adornado.
Also drafted were Ryan Arambulo, Michael Ferrer, Jeremy Bartolo, Francis Bercede, Rey Pabillano, Russel Yaya, Dan Olondriz,Antonio Bonsubre, Rudy Onde, Vince Fran, Chris Elopre, Michael Abad, Roldan Sara, Francis Camacho, Karlo Sumabat,David Olondriz, Gilbert Gutierrez, Rodan Reducto, Leo Roncal, Wilfred Cerico, Jose Reyes, Michael Sabado, Emmanuel Bland, Mark Eric Ferrer, Christian Trance and Jason dela Cruz.
The new PBA D-League season starts on October 24 at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.