Highly-touted neophytes Christian Standhardinger, Kiefer Ravena, and Jeron Teng headline the final list of applicants for the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft, the league released on Friday.
Except for Standhardinger, the rest of the field - all 43 of them -- made the cut at the end of the two-day Gatorade PBA Draft Combine and now look forward to Sunday's proceeding.
The Fil-German Standhardinger, who made waves as a member of the Gilas Pilipinas crew which played in the 2017 Fiba Asia Cup and the 2017 Southeast Asian Games, is the consensus top pick overall.
NLEX, which holds the no.2 pick, is reportedly netting two-time UAAP MVP Ravena, who taking with him a largely successful amateur career dating back to his days in Ateneo.
Blackwater, which made it to the quarterfinals of the PBA Governors' Cup, picks at third, followed by Phoenix, Alaska, and GlobalPort. Rounding out the order for the first round are Rain or Shine, Phoenix, Star, TNT, Ginebra, and TNT once again.
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Apart from Standhardinger and Ravena, La Salle slasher Jeron Teng is also expected to hug the spotlight.
Raymar Jose is also looking to bring his toughness to the PBA after a decorated run in amateurs, most notably with Phoenix and Cignal HD.
Jason Perkins could also figure among the top forwards in the field after his stellar leading the Hawkeyes to a title sweep in the 2017 D-League season.
Not to be outdone, guatd Robbie Herndon and forward Julian Sargent also made strong impression of themselves in the Rookie Draft combine.
College standouts Rey Nambatac of Letran and Lervin Flores of Arellano are also heavy favorites to make the first round after leading their respective alma maters in the NCAA. (DL)
