THE San Sebastian duo of Kenneth Villapando and Rhinwil Yambing along with PBA 3x3 veteran Kim Aurin were among the players who stood out on Day 1 of the 2023 Gatorade Draft Combine at the Gatorade Hoops gymnasium in Mandaluyong.
Villapando recorded the fastest time in the three-quarter-court sprint with a clocking of 2.81 seconds, while Yambing had the highest standing vertical leap with 34.5 inches.
Aurin, who suited up for Barangay Ginebra in both the 3x3 tournament and On Tour, led four others who emerged best in the reaction test with a perfect score of 100 percent. The other rookie prospects who achieved the same were Jose Carlos Cullar (La Salle), John Gob (UP), and Enoch Valdez (Lyceum).
Only 14 out of the record 128 applicants were not able to participate in the two-day event that concludes on Wednesday.
Alwin Margallo on the other hand, was no. 1 in the lane agility test with a clocking of 11.53 seconds.
Sponsored content: San Beda's Clifford Jopia was measured as the tallest in this year's rookie batch at 6-foot-7, while the smallest are Rapahel Mallari and Ryan Costelo, both at 5-foot-5.
Jopia previously also previously played for TNT Tropang Giga in the On Tour.
Another San Sebastian stalwart in Larry Arpia had the record in the max vertical leap of 43 inches.
Former San Beda big man Kemark Carino, who suited up in the Japan B. League, had the longest reach (standing) and wingspan with 105 and 86 inches, respectively.
Tsutonomi Tateishi, formerly of Santo Tomas and Benilde, shared the longest reach (standing) with Carino also at 105 inches.
Sponsored content: The final day of the Draft Combine will have all rookie applicants attending the players' orientation in the morning, before the conclusion of the 5-on-5 games in the afternoon. (RG)
