Gilas bets complete 2016 PBA Rookie Draft list

Photo from FIBA.com

It will still be a loaded rookie pool after all.

Nine of the 12 players named to the next Gilas Pilipinas pool completed the list of applicants for the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft, right after Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) bared on Tuesday the list of amateurs eyed to make up the next Gilas Pilipinas pool.

Collegiate standouts Mac Belo, Kevin Ferrer and Jiovani Jalalon banner the Gilas cadets members who threw their names in the field, hiking the total number of applicants to 55.

Fellow pool members Mike Tolomia, Russel Escoto, Roger Pogoy, Arnold Van Opstal, Von Pessumal and Matthew Wright also declared their intentions to enter the PBA.

Ed Daquioag, Carl Bryan Cruz and Fonso Gotladera, who are also members of the pool, earlier filed their applications.

Belo, arguably one of the best amateur players today, will be entering the Draft alongside his teammates in Far Eastern U after a storied amateur career.

A 23-year-old Midsayap, North Cotabato native, Belo captained the Tamaraws to a UAAP title last year and added a pair of crowns with Phoenix in the PBA D-League alongside Tolomia, Pogoy and Escoto.

Ferrer is also expected to be one of the top selections after the 6-foot-4 forward from University of Santo Tomas earned a reputation as an elite defender and a reliable shooter.

Jalalon is coming off a stellar season in the NCAA, where he almost led Arellano to a championship before falling short against San Beda in the Finals.

Returning national team coach Chot Reyes had mandated all members of the Gilas 5.0 pool to enter the PBA Rookie Draft.

“My commitment to the PBA is every player who puts on the Gilas jersey is going to be a part of the PBA Draft,” said Reyes.

The special draft is set on the same day of the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft on Oct. 30 at Robinson’s Midtown in Ermita, Manila.

All teams will choose one from the 12-man Gilas pool.

Last year’s cellar dweller Blackwater will be picking first, followed by Star, Phoenix, Mahindra and GlobalPort.

Meanwhile, it will be a guard-heavy field for the non-Gilas prospects with Gelo Alolino, Jonathan Grey, Paolo Javelona and Mikee Reyes leading the list.

Other choices for the 12 teams include big men Chris Javier, Raymond Jamito and Joseph Eriobu, wingers Levi Hernandez and Jeff Javillonar, Fil-Ams Rashawn McCarthy and Ryan Arambulo, and backcourt players Raphael Banal, Paolo Pontejos, Achie Iñigo and Mcjour Luib.

Picking first anew in the non-Gilas list will be Blackwater, followed by Phoenix, Ginebra, Mahindra and Star.