PRINGLE, BANCHERO HEAD FIL-FOREIGN DRAFT HOPEFULS
Guards Stanley Pringle and Chris Banchero headline the list of Fil-foreigners who have applied for the 2014 PBA Rookie Draft.
The 6-foot-1 Pringle is being eyed by GlobalPort as the number one pick in this year’s Draft.
A former Penn State University standout, the 27-year-old Pringle has played around the world, having had stints in Belgium, Poland, and Ukraine, before finding his way to the ASEAN Basketball League where he led the Indonesia Warriors to a championship in his two seasons there.
Banchero likewise boasts of a stellar resume after leading the San Miguel Beermen to their only ABL title with him being named as the Finals MVP in 2013.
The 25-year-old playmaker then took his talents to the PBA D-League, where he was the first overall pick in the first ever D-League Draft last year by the Boracay Rum Waves.
San Beda standout Kyle Pascual has also bared his intention to join the Draft after successful stints in the NCAA and in the D-League under the NLEX Road Warriors.
The 6-foot-5 big man is also pegged as one of those rare bangers in the Draft, which is expected to be guard-heavy.
Teammate Rome de la Rosa has also signified his intention to join the Draft, as well as twins Anthony and David Semerad, after the three all experienced success with the Red Lions and the Road Warriors.
Jonathan Semira also marks his return to the country after a season with the Mississauga Power in NBL Canada. The 6-foot guard from San Sebastian formerly played with Cebuana Lhuillier, Cafe France, and Fruitas in the PBA D-League.
Cebuano big man Andrew Avillanoza has also declared for the Draft after one season with Blackwater in the D-League.
Fil-Am guard Philip Morrison, 28, will also join the Fil-foreign pool. The 6-foot shooter from Asbury University suited up for eight games for the Saigon Heat in the 2013 ABL Season.
Other Fil-foreign players who saw action in the PBA D-League and have thrown in their names for the Draft include guard Franklin Bonifacio Jr. (Big Chill), forward Jeremy Bartolo, (Arellano-Air21), and guard Giorgio Umali (Boracay Rum).
Cody Tesoro, a member of the inaugural NLEX champion squad in the 2011, Richard Cole, a 6-foot-3 forward who played for the FCA Cultivators in the 2011 Foundation Cup, and Anthony Gavieres, a 6-foot-4 wingman who is the nephew of former FEU coach Danny Gavieres, also made themselves available for the Draft.
These Fil-foreign applicants will undergo stern scrutiny from the league from July 14 to August 12 regarding their eligibility for the Draft. The final list of Fil-foreign draftees will be made available on August 13.
The 2014 PBA Rookie Draft will be held on August 24 at the Robinson’s Midtown in Ermita, Manila. (RL)
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