MANILA, Philippines - With Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario as the consensus top two picks, the guessing game is who’s going to be the No. 3 selection by Rain or Shine in the 2015 Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft on Sunday at the Robinsons Place Manila.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao has hinted preference for a swingman, and the choices could be former Gilas cadet players Garvo Lanete, Glenn Khobuntin and Scottie Thomson, Chris Newsome of Ateneo and Art dela Cruz of San Beda.
Norbert Torres and Almond Vosotros, key members of the triumphant Phl team in the last SEA Games in Singapore, are in the draft pool together with the core of PBA D-League Foundation Cup champion Café France and collegiate stars Roi Sumang of UE, Aljon Mariano of UST, Mark Cruz of Letran, Josan Nimes of Mapua.
Fil-Nigerian forward Maverick Ahanmisi, Cebuana Lhuillier’s guard Simon Enciso, Cagayan Valley’s Abel Galliguez, Keramix’s Michael Di-Gregorio and Jumbo Plastic’s Kris Rosales are among the Fil-foreigners in the 64-deep roster that will be available for drafting for the 12 PBA teams.
Talk n Text is dead set in enlisting Tautuaa No. 1 overall while Kia is expected to name Rosario as the No. 2 pick.
The ball clubs will have a last look at the draft hopefuls during the Gatorade Draft Combine today and tomorrow at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.
Activities in Day One include anthropometry tests (basic measurement like height, weight and arm span), functional movements and performance tests (agility, speed, endurance and strength).
Day Two will feature a mini-tournament with the players divided into eight teams. PBA assistant coaches have been invited to call the shots for the teams fighting it out for the championship and a cash post of P50,000.