Ex-UP star turned doctor is No. 1 pick in inaugural WNBL Draft
Dr. Fille Claudine Cainglet poses in front of a monitor during the WNBL Draft where she was selected as the first overall pick. Photo courtesy of WNBL
MANILA, Philippines — Dr. Fille Claudine Cainglet was a busy woman Saturday evening when she was chosen as the first overall pick of the Women’s National Basketball League.
Glutagence selected the former University of the Philippines star during a virtual draft process with Cainglet monitoring the proceedings while performing surgery at UERM Hospital.
“Thank you WNBL! I’m literally sewing someone up here in the operating room while crying my eyes out!” said the 32-year-old Cainglet, who played for UP from Seasons 69 to 73, in Filipino.
The Glow Boosters also selected “Splash Sisters” Camille Claro and Khate Castillo of De La Salle in the second and third round of the draft that the Games and Amusements Board supervised.
Glutagence’s other picks were 5-foot-10 center Camille Sambile of Far Eastern University, 5-foot-10 big April Lualhati of Lyceum, 5-foot-7 forward Nic Cancio of Ateneo, 5-foot-10 center Carol Sangalang of University of Santo Tomas, 5-foot-6 guard Raiza Palmera-Dy of FEU, 5-foot-2 point guard Nicky Garcia of La Salle, 5-foot-4 forward Samantha Tan of UP, 5-foot-4 guard Ays Hufanda of UP, and 5-foot-1 guard Camille Ramos of La Salle.
STAN Quezon also got good pickups in Dianne Ventura, Kat Araja, Jo Razalo, Angelica De Austria, Karla Manuel, Nikka Tupaz, Jade Valenzuela, Marika Iida, Veronica Lio, and Bienca Ramos.
Pacific Water still managed to get a decent players despite entering the draft in the third round with forward Snow Peñaranda becoming its first pick while choosing UAAP Season 82 Finals MVP Monique Del Carmen in the ninth round.
The Queens also got Cara Buendia, Elaisa Adriano, Crislyn Mier, Tin Cortizano, Nef Taller, Janella Alba, and Jinky Balasta.
Parañaque, an original from the first season of the WNBL, was able to make the most of its eight picks, selecting AJ Gloriani, Mary Joy Galicia, Jhenn Angeles, Vanessa Santos, Tanya De La Merced, Jenina Solis, Sthefanie Ventura, and Jaira Baarde.
Gracing the event were GAB chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra, professional basketball chief Jun Bautista and assistant chiefs Jackie Lou Cacho-Ornido and Rodil Manaog while former national team head coach Haydee Ong gave the special remarks.
