Moala Tautuaa is projected to be no. 1 pick in the upcoming PBA draft. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Playing undersized all season long, Talk ‘N Text aims to give its frontline a huge boost in the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft next month with the Tropang Texters owning the first overall pick.
Fil-Tongan big man Moala Tautuaa is the favorite to be this year’s top pick, although there are other intriguing prospects for TNT to choose from at the pole position come August 23.
Gilas cadets Troy Rosario and Norbert Torres could also provide the muscle the team badly needs, but so far, the muscular 6-foot-8 Tautuaa has been the consensus No.1.
Talk ‘N Text acquired the draft slot in a trade with Blackwater involving former Rain or Shine slotman Larry Rodriguez. It turned out to be the first selection after the Elite finished with the worst record this season.
Kia will select at No.2, followed by the first of two Rain or Shine first round picks at three. The Elasto Painters secured the pick in the Kevin Alas trade.
Meralco follows at the fourth spot, making the first of its two first round picks, before Ginebra picks at fifth.
NLEX, also owners of two first rounders, selects at sixth, then Meralco again at seventh, before Blackwater, receiving the swapped selections from TNT, chooses at eighth.
Star gets its hands on the rookie class at ninth, followed by NLEX, Alaska, and finally Rain or Shine to close out the first round.
San Miguel, GlobalPort, and Barako Bull does not own first round picks after dealing their selection in prior deals.
Other intriguing prospects in this year’s rookie class include reigning NCAA MVP Earl Scottie Thompson of Perpetual Help, playmaker Baser Amer of San Beda, former PBA D-League MVP Garvo Lanete and former UAAP stars Almond Vosotros, Glenn Khobuntin, and Chris Newsome. MVG
Here is the official draft order of the first round of the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft:
1. Talk ‘N Text (from Blackwater)
2. Kia
3. Rain or Shine (from NLEX)
4. Meralco (from GlobalPort)
5. Ginebra (from Barako Bull)
6. NLEX (from Ginebra)
7. Meralco
8. Blackwater (from Talk ‘N Text)
9. Star
10. NLEX (from San Miguel)
11. Alaska
12. Rain or Shine