WITH the top two picks already known, focus will now be on who Rain or Shine selects third overall in the PBA Draft set at 2 p.m. today at Robinsons Place Manila.
Yeng Guiao, the Elasto Painters’ coach, said that the team still hasn’t made up its mind on who to pick, narrowing down the candidates to five, including big man Norbert Torres and Fil-American scorer Chris Newsome and NCAA MVP Scottie Thompson.
Guiao said Torres could come in handy because they have traded away Jervy Cruz, while Newsome or Thompson could provide outside gun support to Paul Lee and Jeff Chan.
Rain or Shine has another pick in the first round (12th overall). Guiao said he intends to pick the players that will complete their roster.
Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario, who are with Gilas Pilipinas in Estonia, will be selected first and second overall by Talk ‘N Text and Mahindra (formerly KIA Motors), respectively.
It will mark the first time that the top two selections will miss the proceedings.
Meralco, which acquired the right from Globalport, selects fourth with Barangay Ginebra and NLEX making the fifth and sixth selections acquired from Barako Bull and Ginebra, respectively.
The Bolts’ natural first round pick is seventh overall, with Star and Blackwater, after a trade with Talk ‘N Text, picking Nos. 8 and 9, respectively.
The Road Warriors got the ninth overall selection from a trade with San Miguel Beer before Alaska and Rain or Shine pick 11th and 12th to round out the first round.