Blackwater Elite selects Raphael Banal as the first pick in the regular draft. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Blackwater tapped the services of Raphael Banal, picking the guard first in the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft Sunday at Robinsons Place Manila.
The 23-year-old guard from Hope International University – California impressed a lot of scouts during the two-day Draft Combine showing his abilities as one of the field’s elite wingers.
Banal, who is the son of former PBA coach Joel Banal, will be joining an Elite squad which already has Mac Belo and Art dela Cruz as their cornerstones for the future.
READ: Mac Belo ready for new challenge at Blackwater
Former National University guard Gelo Alolino came in second after being selected by Phoenix, which also picked Fil-Canadian shooter Mathew Wright in the special draft.
Barangay Ginebra selected lanky forward Jammer Jamito as the third pick while Mahindra and Star rounded out the top five with big men Joseph Eriobu and Chris Javier, respectively.
San Miguel got Rashawn McCarthy at sixth, Meralco got Jonathan Grey at seventh, and NLEX nabbed Reden Celda at eighth.
Rain or Shine passed on its selection, while 6-foot-11 Jericho de Guzman went to Ginebra at 10th. Alaska also passed on its pick while Phoenix completed the first round with the selection of Jeff Javillonar also out of NU.
In the second round, Blackwater got Tristan Perez, GlobalPort took Alfrancis Tamsi and Ryan Arambulo, Meralco picked Jessie Saitanan, San Miguel selected Jovit dela Cruz, Phoenix tapped a couple of point guards in Pao Javelona and Achie Iñigo while Mahindra drafted Cedrick Ablaza.
Jan Jamon was picked by Mahindra in the third round, Spencer Eman went to GlobalPort, Ryusei Koga was picked by Meralco, and TNT nabbed Tim Habelito.
Mahindra also got Paolo Pontejos in the fourth round, while Mikee Reyes and Levi Hernandez both went to TNT to wrap up the draft.
Overall, 37 of the 53 aspirants were drafted.
The undrafted hopefuls can still find a PBA team as part of the free agent pool.