WAVES TAB BANCHERO IN PBA D-LEAGUE DRAFT
Boracay Rum selected Chris Banchero with its first pick in the 2013 PBA Developmental League Rookie Draft on Thursday.
The Fil-Italian guard was not around during the proceedings but Boracay Rum coach Lawrence Chongson said his agent, Marvin Espiritu, had been notified in advance about the team’s plan to pick the ASEAN Basketball League MVP.
“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 selection.
Café France and Cebuana Lhuillier owned the top two picks but ceded the opportunity to land the 6-1 Banchero because they forged a tie-up 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 is supporting the basketball program of 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.
A total of 58 aspirants were drafted from the official list of 111 candidates. Those who were not selected are considered rookie free agents and can sign up with any team in the league.
The list of drafted players include 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.
Ryan Arambulo, Michael Ferrer, Jeremy Bartolo, Francis Bercede, Rey Pabillano, Russel Yaya, Dan Olondriz,Antonio Bonsubre, Rudy Onde, Vince Fran, Chris Elopre, Michael Abad, Roldan Sara, Francis Camacho, Karlo Sumabat, David Olondriz, Gilbert Gutierrez, Rodan Reducto, Leo Roncal, Wilfred Cerico, Jose Reyes, Michael Sabado, Emmanuel Bland, Mark Eric Ferrer,Christian Trance and Jason dela Cruz.
A total of 14 teams are competing in PBA D-League Aspirants Cup which begins on October 24 at the Ynares Sports Arena. (DBC)
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