HULKING TAUTUAA NO. 1 PICK IN PBA D-LEAGUE DRAFT
As expected, Moala Tautuaa went to Cagayan Valley as the first pick in the 2014 PBA D-League Draft Monday at the PBA Office in Libis.
The 6-foot-7 big man from Chadron State College was the hands down pick for the Rising Suns, as the Westports Malaysia Dragons center’s potential has given the coaching staff a positive outlook for their future.
“Malaking tulong sya kasi di pa kami umabot sa championship, hanggang second place lang ang Cagayan,” said Cagayan assistant coach Nonoy Bonleon. “Sa laki nya, sa tingin ko baka makapasok ulit kami sa Finals.”
Ateneo’s energetic forward Chris Newsome went second to Tanduay Light.
“Sya talaga ang kukunin ko,” said Tanduay coach Lawrence Chongson. “If I were to go number one, baka sya talaga ang kunin ko. Complete package. Multi-position sya. Pinili ko na yung talent over sa height.”
Owning the third pick in the Draft, Cafe France-CEU nabbed 6-foot-9 Arnold Van Opstal, and coach Egay Macaraya said that the Fil-German is really their top priority in the rookie selection.
“Management decision is to get AVO. Yun yung gusto namin na first pick,” he said. “The only thing now is about commitment naman. Hopefully, ma-push through dahil kailangan talaga sya kahit saang team.”
La Salle big man Norbert Torres went to Cebuana Lhuillier at fourth, while Fil-Am guard Kris Rosales landed at Jumbo Plastic with the No. 5 overall selection.
The rest of the first rounders were: Anthony Hargrove at sixth for M-Builders-FEU, Rob Hainga at seventh for Wangs Basketball, Fabien Redoh at eighth for Racal-St. Claire, Maverick Ahanmisi at ninth for Hapee-San Beda, Rizalde Angeles at tenth for the AMA Titans, Wowie Escosio at 11th for MP Hotel, and John Azores at 12th for Bread Story-Lyceum.
Roi Sumang was nabbed by Tanduay Light first in the second round, as Jonathan Grey (Cagayan), Bong Galanza (Cafe France), Bradwyn Guinto (Cebuana), Jerramy King (Jumbo Plastic), Achie Iñigo (M-Builders), Joseph Ambohot (Wangs), Elmer Managuelod (Racal), Chris Javier (Hapee), Josue Diswe (AMA), Rashwan McCarthy (MP Hotel), and Joseph Gabayni (Bread Story) completed the second round.
The 2014-15 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup will have six school-based teams when the tournament tips off on October 27 at the Ynares Sports Arena.
IBC 13 will show all three games on a same-day delayed basis starting at 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.
See Courtside section for complete 2014 PBA D-League Rookie Draft selections. (RL)
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