95 hopefuls join PBA Rookie Draft

Ninety-five hopefuls, including boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and a slew of guards tipped to occupy the top places, have declared themselves available for the PBA Rookie Draft on Aug. 24.

Kevin Alas, the hottest homegrown guard prospect, Filipino-American Matt Ganuelas and Ronald Pascual were the big-name entrants that beat the 5 p.m. deadline yesterday, with Garvo Lanete opting to stay as an amateur until next year.

Stanley Pringle and Chris Banchero, Fil-Ams who starred for different teams in the Asean Basketball League, are among the prospective No. 1 choices.

Alas and Ganuelas have been part of the Gilas cadet program and played with the Nationals in two separate international events.

Ganuelas suited up in the squad that won the Jones Cup title in 2012, while Alas was with the team that copped the bronze medal last month in the Fiba Asia Cup in Wuhan, China.

Pacquiao, who will coach newcomer Kia, is also in the pool. He is listed at 5-foot-6 and is easily the shortest in the huge pool of prospects. He is also the oldest applicant at 36.

(For complete applicants’ list: https://pba.inquirer.net/48306/2014-gatorade-pba-draft-applicants)