Tautuaa, Rosario top picks in draft

MANILA, Philippines - With the consensus first two picks away with Gilas Pilipinas in Estonia, Rain or Shine provides the excitement in naming the No. 3 selection in the 2015 Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft starting at 2 p.m. today at the Midtown Atrium of the Robinsons Place Manila.

Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario are expected to be the first two picks by Talk n Text and Mahindra (formerly Kia), respectively, while anyone among Norberto Torres, Chris Newsome, Scottie Thompson, Art dela Cruz and Garvo Lanete could be the choice of Rain or Shine as the third pick.

Practically all the teams are saying they will choose the best available talent with lean choices of centers and forwards in the guard-laden 64-strong draft pool.

Before the draft proceedings to be presided over by new PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa, the PBA board of governors fetes outgoing chairman Patrick Gregorio.

Under Gregorio’s watch, the PBA expanded into a 12-team league, played before a record crowd of over 50,000 in the season opener last year at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue and introduced several innovations, including Asian imports.

It’s also last season when the PBA reformatted the league structure paving the way for former commissioner Chito Salud to be PBA president with Narvasa taking over as league commissioner.

Since he’s not yet familiar with the players, Narvasa barred player trades on draft day. (Related story at left)

“Iniiwasan nyang mapalusutan ng lopsided trade deals,” said a PBA insider.

Thus for sure, Tautuaa is going to Talk n Text while Rosario to Kia.

“But Rosario may just be a ‘pick-and-trade’ prospect for Kia,” said a keen PBA follower, aware of all the trade deals being offered to Kia for the No. 2 pick.

Talk n Text, Rain or Shine, Alaska Milk and Barako Bull are among the teams that have expressed interest on Kia’s draft rights.

Among the other bright draft prospects are Maverick Ahanmisi, Glenn Khobuntin, Michael Mabulac, Jeson Melano, Baser Amer, Michael Vincent Di Gregorio, Simon Enciso, Bradwyn Guinto, Aljon Mariano, Josan Nimes, Kevin Racal, Roi Sumang, Celedonio Trollano and Almond Vosotros.

After Talk n Text, Mahindra and Rain or Shine, next to dip fingers in the pool are Meralco (from Globalport), Barangay Ginebra (from Barako Bull), NLEX (from Ginebra), Meralco, Star Hotshots, Blackwater (from Talk ‘N’ Text), NLEX (from San Miguel Beer), Alaska and Rain Or Shine. 

In the second round, it is Blackwater then Mahindra, Rain Or Shine (from NLEX), Ginebra (from Globalport via Barako Bull), Rain Or Shine (from Globalport via Barako Bull), Alaska (from Ginebra), Rain Or Shine (from Meralco), Barako Bull (from Star Hotshots), Alaska (from Talk ‘N’ Text), Barako Bull (from San Miguel Beer), Alaska and Rain Or Shine.

Others in the pool are John Michael Abad, Mon Alvin Abundo, Eric James Acuna, Keith Jasper Agovida, John Ray Alabanza, Alex Almario, Yutien Andrada, Junar Arce, Alex Austria, Alfred Batino, Mark Cruz, Joshua Cubillo, Rodel de Leon, Leodaniel de Vera, Randy Dilay, Nico Elorde, Pedrito Galanza, Abel Galliguez, Carlo Gatmaitan, Jonathan Grey, Roberto Hainga, Dale Hodges, JulShri Ignacio, Jerramy King, Marion Magat, Jaypee Mendoza, Eric Miraflores, Michael Miranda, Mark Montuano, Chris Palma, Jawhar Purdy, Jansen Rios, Robin Rono, Krismoir Rosales, Adrian Santos, Joseph Sedurifica, Michole Sorela, Andrei Stevens, Edgar Tanuan, Emilian Vargas, Lee Villamor, Arvin Vitug and Ryan Wetherell.

Last year, drafting went all the way to fourth round with Stanley Pringle leading 40 hopefuls called to take the stage.

In the last 10 years, only Pringle, Jvee Casio (2011) and Gabe Norwood (2008) were non-frontline players named as top pick overall.

It’s Jay Washington in 2005, Kelly Williams in 2006, Joe Devance in 2007, Japeth Aguilar in 2009, Noy Baclao in 2010, Junmar Fajardo in 2012 and Greg Slaughter in 2013.