Banchero Boracay Rum top draft pick

MANILA, Philippines - Boracay Rum boosted its chances to finally contend for the crown after picking Fil-American Chris Banchero as the No. 1 draft choice of the first PBA Developmental League Rookie Draft yesterday.

Banchero, an MVP in the ASEAN Basketball League, was not around during the rites but Boracay Rum coach Lawrence Chongson said his agent, Marvin Espiritu, had been notified in advance about the team’s plan to pick him.

“We are in constant contact with (Banchero’s) agent. Frankly, I have not seen him play but I’ve heard good account of his skills and ability so I’m sure he must be good,” said Chongson of his top pick.

Fourteen teams are competing in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup which fires off Oct. 24 at the Ynares Sports Arena.

Café France and Cebuana Lhuillier owned the top two picks but gave up the chance to land the 6-1 Banchero after forging tie-ups with school teams.

All new players are required to join the Draft to be eligible to play for the league’s 2014 season. However, new players who are included in the line-up of school-based teams are deemed exempted from joining the Draft. Instead, they are considered to be the draft picks of their respective teams.

Café France has linked up with Centro Escolar University while Cebuana Lhuillier forged a partnership with the University of the East.

Also ceding their first round picks are four-time champion NLEX-San Beda, Air21-Arellano U, M Builders-Trinity U, UR Value-UP and Banco de Oro-National University.

Big Chill used its first round pick to net Perpetual Help College star guard Juneric Baloria while Blackwater Sports selected unheralded Andrew Avillanoza of Cebu City.

Cagayan Valley drafted Adamson shooting guard Celedonio Trollano, Hog’s Breath selected Letran’s Ford Ruaya, Jumbo Plastic St. Benilde’s Mark Romero while Wang’s Basketball Team landed little known Benedict Adamos.

The other drafted players were Raymark Belo, LA Revilla, Jericho Cruz, Philip Paredes, Rene Saycon, Jamil Gabawan, Dexter Garcia, Raymund Alvaro, Mark Anthony Lopez, John Marco Tayongtong, Jed Manguera, Francis Abarcar, Randy Dilay, Allen Etrone, Rafael Sanchez, Ar-Raouf Julkipli, Gian Abrigo, Joshua Cubillo, Van Abatayo, Alex Austria, Mark Franco, Christian Palma, John Rey Alabanza and Joemarie Adornado.