Thirdy skips PBA Draft; Go looms as top bet

MANILA, Philippines — Top prospect Thirdy Ravena of Ateneo decided to skip this year’s PBA Rookie Draft, opting to try to bring his act abroad with personal training in the next few months.

The second-generation player, who just came off three straight UAAP titles and Finals MVP citations, passed up on his chance to join this year’s PBA draft that lured a total of 71 hopefuls as the application lapsed Friday afternoon.

Minus Ravena, fellow Blue Eagle Isaac Go now looms as the possible top choice.

Santo Tomas’ Renzo Subido, UE’s Rey Suerte, Ateneo’s Matt and Mike Nieto, FEU’s Wendell Comboy and Hubert Cani, Allyn Bulanadi of San Sebastian, St. Benilde’s Yankie Haruna, Arellano’s Kent Salado, Perpetual’s Edgar Charcos, Lyceum’s Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino and Letran’s Bonbon Batiller and Jerrick Balanza are among the other notables who made themselves available to be drafted.

Sean Manganti and Roosevelt Adams lead the list of Fil-Foreign aspirants.

For the second straight year, Columbian and Blackwater hold the rights for the first and second picks, with NLEX gaining the third pick after bombing out of the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals despite being the top seed.

The draft is set Dec. 8 at the Robinson’s Place Manila after the traditional draft combine slated this Monday and Tuesday at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.