PBA Draft: Tautuaa, Rosario go 1-2; Thompson to Ginebra
Moala Tautuaa. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Fifty four out of 63 rookie aspirants got their names called in the 2015 Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft on Sunday
Not surprisingly, Talk ‘N Text selected Fil-Tongan Moala Tautuaa as the No.1 overall pick.
Tautuaa emerged as the biggest name in this draft class after dominating in the Asean Basketball League and the PBA D-League while playing for the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns and the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems.
The 26-year-old big man is expected to contribute for the Tropang Texters, who could’ve used Tautuaa’s legitimate inside presence last season.
National University standout Troy Rosario, meanwhile, was the second overall pick by the Mahindra Enforcers (formerly Kia Carnival).
The 6-foot-7 Tautuaa and the 22-year-old Rosario also missed their Draft moments due to his commitments with Gilas Pilipinas, which just wrapped up a three-game stretch in Estonia.
“Malaking tulong siya sa team. He can stretch the floor,” said Kia assistant Chito Victolero.
The mystery third pick was unveiled with Fil-Nigerian guard Maverick Ahanmisi going to Rain or Shine.
“The fans can expect me to bring the hard work to Rain or Shine,” Ahanmisi, who won a championship with Cafe France in the PBA D-League, said.
Meralco on the other hand, went with Ateneo guard Chris Newsome as the fourth overall selection.
“i just feel blessed. It’s a dream come true and I’m really excited,” the high-leaping Newsome said.
Ginebra cheers reverberated inside the venue and the Kings didn’t disappoint with the selection of the reigning NCAA MVP Scottie Thompson as the fifth pick.
NLEX, then, chose a former Road Warrior in Garvo Lanete.
Another San Beda Red Lion followed the seasoned rookie Lanete, who has had a lot of experience playing in the D-League and internationally as part of Gilas cadets, with point guard Baser Amer going to Meralco at seventh.
Amer will get a lot of wisdom from comebacking playmaker Jimmy Alapag, who is considered as one of the best players in the league.
De La Salle center Norbert Torres came next with Star, which is under new coach Jason Webb, at eighth.
“We didn’t expect him (Torres) to fall on our spot,” Webb said.
The third San Beda Red Lion in the class Art Dela Cruz wound up with Blackwater as the ninth pick.
The Road Warriors were back on the board again and they went with another Bulldog in Glenn Khobuntin as the 10th overall pick.
Letran swingman Kevin Racal was reunited with his former college coach Louie Alas at Alaska as the 11th pick.
The Elasto Painters pulled off another surprise to end the first round after picking Mapua’s Josan Nimes at 12th.
The first round left several notable players still up-for-grabs in the second round.
Blackwater nabbed another Green Archer in never-shy gunner Almond Vosotros before Mahindra picked San Sebastian big man Bradwyn Guinto.
In another bold move, the Painters went with former Adamson captain Don Trollano as the 15th overall pick.
After locking up Thompson, the Kings added another versatile player in University of Santo Tomas forward Aljon Mariano at 16th.
Fil-American point guard Simon Enciso went next with Rain or Shine picking him at 17th overall.
The Aces tabbed D-Leaguer Marion Magat, the lengthy forward, as the 18th overall pick.
Rain or Shine passed on its pick before Barako Bull opted for Fil-American guard Kris Rosales at 20th and Alaska chose Red Lion Jaypee Mendoza at 21st.
Former San Sebastian enforcer and D-Leaguer Michael Miranda was picked at 22nd by the Energy.
Abel Galliguez joined Racal, Mendoza and Magat in Alaska at 23rd to end the first two rounds of the draft.
Several noted players also got up the stages in the third round like former Red Warrior Roi Sumang (Globalport), Yutien Andrada (Barako Bull), Mark Cruz (Star Hotshots), and Nico Elorde (Alaska Aces).
San Miguel used up its first pick in the draft on big man Michael Mabulac in the third round.
The annual rookie selection, a first under new commissioner Chito Narvasa, held at Robinson’s Place Manila lasted eight rounds with with the expansion teams taking advantage of the deep pool.
Here are is a list of the 2015 Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft picks:
First Round
1. Talk N’ Text Tropang Texters – Moala Tautuaa
2. Mahinda Enforcers (Kia) – Troy Rosario
3. Rain or Shine Elastopainters – Maverick Ahanmisi
4. Meralco Bolts – Chris Newsome
5. Barangay Ginebra Kings – Scottie Thompson
6. NLEX Road Warriors – Garvo Lanete
7. Meralco Bolts – Baser Amer
8. Star Hotshots – Norbert Torres
9. Blackwater Elite – Art Dela Cruz
10. NLEX Road Warriors – Glenn Khobuntin
11. Alaska Aces – Kevin Racal
12. Rain or Shine Elastopainters – Josan Nimes
Second Round
1. Blackwater Elite – Almond Vosotros
2. Mahindra Enforcers – Bradwyn Guinto
3. Rain or Shine Elastopainters – Don Trollano
4. Barangay Ginebra Kings – Aljon Mariano
5. Rain or Shine Elastopainters – Simon Enciso
6. Alaska Aces – Marion Magat
7. Rain or Shine – pass
8. Barako Bull Energy – Kris Rosales
9. Alaska Aces – Jaypee Mendoza
10. Barako Bull Energy – Michael Miranda
11. Alaska Aces – Abel Galliguez
12. Rain or Shine Elastopainters – pass
Third Round
1. Blackwater Elite – Jason Melano
2. Mahindra Enforcers – Leo De Vera
3. NLEX Road Warriors – Jansen Rios
4. Globalport Batang Pier – Roi Sumang
5. Barako Bull Energy – Yutien Andrada
6. Barangay Ginebra Kings – Denice Villamor
7. Meralco Bolts – Joseph Sedurifa
8. Star Hotshots – Mark Cruz
9. Talk N’ Text Tropang Texters – Micole Sorela
10. San Miguel Beermen – Michael Mabulac
11. Alaska Aces – Nico Elorde
12. Rain or Shine – Pass
Fourth Round
1. BW – Kieth Agovida
2. Mahindra Enforcers – Michael Di Gregorio
3. NLEX Road Warriors – Jerramy King
4. Globalport Batang Pier – Ryan Wetherell
5. Barako Bull Energy – John Ray Alabanza
6. Barangay Ginebra Kings – Pass
7. Meralco Bolts – Pass
8. Star Hotshots – Samboy De Leon
9. Talk N’ Text Tropang Texters – Joshua Cubillo
10. San Miguel Beermen – Andretti Stevens
11. Alaska Aces – Robin Rono
12. Rain or Shine Elastopainters –
Fifth Round
1. Blackwater Elite – Jawhar Purdy
2. Mahindra Enforcers – Alli Austria
3. NLEX Road Warriors – Alfred Batino
4. Globalport Batang Pier – Bong Galanza
7. TNT – Emilian Vargas
Sixth Round
1. Blackwater Elite – Christian Palma
2. Mahindra Enforcers – Robert Hainga
3. NLEX Road Warriors – Edgar Tanuan
Seventh Round
1. Blackwater Elite – Mon Abundo
2. Mahindra Enforcers – John Michael Abad
3. NLEX Road Warriors – Arvin Vitug
Eighth Round
1. Blackwater Elite – Randy Dilay
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