Columbian turned to someone who can form an explosive pair with CJ Perez as the Dyip selected Roosevelt Adams as the first pick in the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft at Robinson's Place Manila Sunday.
Adams wowed almost everybody in his MVP showing during the Gatorade Draft Combine. And not surprisingly, the 6-foot-5 Fil-Am forward got the nod of Columbian, gaining the honors as the top choice in the 2019 PBA draft class.
Earlier, Columbian Dyip made George Isaac Go as the first pick in the special Gilas dispersal draft, featuring five players eyed to be included in the Gilas program for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Cebuano hotshots Rey Suerte went to Blackwater at No. 2, 6-0 guard Matthew Nieto to NLEX at No. 3, gunner/slasher Allyn Bulanadi to Alaska at No. 4 and wing guy Michael Nieto to Rain or Shine at No. 5
But as agreed upon by the PBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, these Gilas prospects will be made available to their PBA mother ball clubs only once their national duties are over.
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Adams, a 25-year-old College of Idaho product, leads the rookie draftees that can strut their stuffs in the pros right at the start of the next PBA season.
"It's a blessing, and I have no words to describe my feeling. It's a great opportunity," said Adams, initially seen playing in the local scene with Go for Gold in the PBA D-League.
"I'm just excited and of course I'll put my athleticism in the game," added Adams, accompanied by his wife in the well-attended draft exercise.
Another Fil-Am player in Maurice Shaw was picked at No. 2 by Blackwater, then PCU's Mike Ayonayon became the highest drafted home-grown player at No. 3 by NLEX.
Also picked in the first round were Kevin Ebona by Alaska, Adrian Wong, Clint Dolinguez and Prince Rivero by Rain or Shine, Sean Manganti by NorthPort, Aris Dionisio by Magnolia, Arvin Tolentino by Ginebra, Kib Montalbo by TNT KaTropa and Christian Balagasay by Columbian Dyip.
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No question, Blackwater gambled on size over youth in picking the 6-foot-9 Shaw, among the oldest players ever picked in the PBA annual draft at 34.
"I'm just grateful for the opportunity. Hopefully, I'll be able to do what I can do," said Shaw.
A total of 45 players from the 67-man draft pool heard their names called, with Letran's Jerrick Balanza (picked by Ginebra) bannering the second-round draftees.
Aaron Black made it as a second-round draft choice by his dad Norman's Meralco team.
Also drafted in the second round were Richard Escoto (Blackwater), William McAloney (NLEX), Rey Publico (Alaska), Jaycee Marcelino (Alaska), Vince Tolentino (ROS), Amel Soberano (NLEX), Yankee Haruna (Magnolia), Michael Salado (Ginebra), Wendel Comboy (ROS) and Enzo Subido (NorthPort).
Eleven were picked in the third round led by Bonbon Batiller (Columbian) and followed by Chris Bitoon (Blackwater), Gelo Vito (NLEX), Ralph Tansingco (Phoenix), Mike Canete (Meralco), Luke Barcero (ROS), Cris Dumapig (NorthPort), Alvin Capobres (Magnolia), Fran Asuncion (Ginebra), Simon Camacho (TNT) and Travis Thompson (SMB).
Then teams started to pass on their turns.
The last players to make it were Marco Balagtas (Columbian), Hubert Cani (Blackwater), JV Marcelino (NLEX), Spencer Pretta (Phoenix), Dexter Zamora (NorthPort), Valandre Chauca (TNT), Daniel de Guzman (SMB), Jeramer Cabanag (NLEX), Jeff Santos (Phoenix) and Von Tambeling (SMB).(SB)
