La Salle’s Perkins, Sargent go 1-2 in PBA D-League Draft

Still looking for its first franchise title, Racal/Keramix added frontcourt help by picking Jason Perkins as the top pick in the 2015 PBA D-League Rookie Draft Tuesday at PBA Cafe in Metrowalk, Pasig City.

Perkins gives the Mixers versatility with head coach Caloy Garcia citing the De La Salle University star’s ability to score inside and out.

“He gives us stability in the post and he can also shoot from the outside,” said Garcia, whose holdovers include Arellano standout Jio Jalalon, Dexter Maiquez and Rudy Lingganay to name a few.

Another Green Archer was picked next with Julian Sargent going to AMA University as the second overall pick.

Von Pessumal, Ateneo’s sharpshooting swingman, was selected third overall by Tanduay Light, which also tabbed Blue Eagles big man Alfonso Gotladera as the third pick in the second round, Adamson guard Joseph Nalos early in the third round and another Ateneo player in Kris Porter late in the draft.

Cafe France, the reigning Aspirants Cup champion, picked Taylor Statham in fourth while Wangs Basketball went for ABL standout Avery Scharer in fifth.

Mindanao Aguilas may have gotten the steal of the draft when it selected Fil-American guard Mike Williams, who plays for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBA D-League.

The 6-foot-2 Williams averaged 4.6 points, 2.3 assists and 15.4 minutes per game in his first season for the Skyforce, an affiliate of the Miami Heat.

School-based squads Jam Liner-UP and Phoenix Petroleum-FEU completed the first round by selecting Agu Amar and Russel Escoto in seventh and eighth, respectively with BDO-NU opting to pass.

Among the other notable players selected were Arellano’s Zach Nicholls (Keramix), CJ Isit (Tanduay Light) Adamson’s Ivan Villanueva (Mindanao).

James Regalado was the last player picked in the draft when his name was called in the 12th round.