2018 PBA Draft: CJ Perez, Ray Parks, Robert Bolick lead 48 hopefuls

Robert Bolick celebrates after San Beda completed another three-peat. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

CJ Perez, Ray Parks and Robert Bolick are tipped to be the first three picks out of the 48 aspirants in the coming 2018 PBA Rookie Draft.

Joining the three are the likes of Javee Mocon, Bong Quinto and Paul Desiderio and Abu Tratter who are also expected to be picked early in the draft set on Saturday at Robinson’s Place Manila.

Columbian Dyip, who own the rights to the top overall pick, had already bared their intention to select Perez as No. 1.

Perez led the Lyceum Pirates to back-to-back trips to the NCAA Finals.

Parks and Bolick, however, may have something to say about that as their accolades speak for themselves.

The 25-year-old Parks may be a rookie but his experience would say otherwise as a member of Alab Pilipinas in the Asean Basketball League where he’s already won a title and two local MVP awards.

Bolick, meanwhile, has the unquestioned championship pedigree as an instrumental part of the San Beda Red Lions’ three-peat in the NCAA.

The 23-year-old Bolick and Mocon led the Red Lions’ NCAA Finals sweep of Perez and the Pirates in 2017 and 2018.

Other notable names who also applied for the draft are Matt Salem, Trevis Jackson, Tey Teodoro, Michael Calisaan, JP Calvo, Robbie Manalang, CJ Isit, Kyles Lao and Diego Dario.

Desiderio and Dario, who are coming off a UAAP Finals run with University of the Philippines, were the last two players to apply for the draft.

Desiderio played a vital role in propelling UP to its first UAAP Finals appearance in 32 years.