Former two-time PBA MVP Danny Ildefonso, the silently effective Larry Rodriguez and veteran Nic Belasco are the top prospects in the Dispersal Draft to be held today for newcomers Blackwater and KIA Motors.
Ildefonso, who won his two MVPs successively with San Miguel Beer, was not included in Meralco’s Protect 12 list and will be eligible to be picked by either the Elite or the Manny Pacquiao-coached KIA crew.
Another interesting prospect is Ronnie Matias, one of four that Grand Slam champion San Mig Coffee put in the list of draftees together with 6-foot-9 sophomore Isaac Holstein.
Matias was acquired by the Mixers in a trade with Globalport late last season. The Batang Pier got Matias from Rain or Shine in a previous deal.
Other veterans who have been out of action at least for the past season like Don Allado, Reil Cervantes and Gilbert Bulawan are also available.
The proceedings will be held at the PBA Offices in Libis starting at 2 p.m. Pacquiao, who hopes to be KIA’s playing coach, will skip today’s proceedings to attend to wife Jinkee, who is ill.
Rodriguez was also put by Rain or Shine in the list of possible draftees due to the Elasto Painters’ very deep bench. Also unprotected by Rain or Shine was incoming sophomore Alex Nuyles, the former Adamson ace in the UAAP.
The list of draftees is being kept under wraps and can be seen only by KIA and Blackwater, but Inquirer sources said that the likes of Paul Artadi of Meralco, Jen Knuttel and Brian Faundo of Barangay Ginebra and another veteran, Mike Yee of Globalport, are up for grabs.