Four players from Western Visayas were selected during the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.
Capiznon Christian Manaytay bannered the region’s best after he was selected by the Painters’ 10th overall in the rookie selection proceedings. The Roxas City native previously played for the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.
During an interim, Manaytay said he is excited to play under coach Yeng Guiao. “Alam naman natin si coach Yeng talagang ginagamit niya lahat ng players niya at more on development talaga siya.”
Moreover, Negrense Aldave Canoy was drafted by Phoenix Fuel Masters while Ilonggos John Bryan Sajonia went to NorthPort Batang Pier and Franz Diaz to Terrafirma Dyip.
It was a great night for the Dyip as they made Shaun Geoffrey Chiu as their top-overall pick followed by Juan Gomez de Liaño to Converge FiberXers, Dalph Panopio to Blackwater Bossing, Chris Koon to the Batang Pier, and LJay Gonzales to NLEX Road Warriors.
Also selected in the first round of the drafting are Yukien Andrada to Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, Jason Brickman to Meralco Bolts, Will Gozum to the Fuel Masters, Chris Miller to San Miguel Beermen, Sonny Estil to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, and Arthur Roque to the Painters.
Drafted in the second round were Mario Barasi Jr. (Gin Kings), Dave Ando (Phoenix), Ximone Sandagon (Blackwater), Cyrus Austria (NorthPort), Arvin Gamboa (NLEX), Shaun Umali (Terrafirma), Vince Magbuhos (Meralco), Kobe Monje (Converge), John Abis (Gin Kings) Mark Omega, Vince Cuajao, and Vince Joshua David (Rain or Shine).
Picked in the third round are Aurin Catacutan (Terrafirma), Harvey Pagsanjan (Phoenix), Jack Cruz-Dumont (Blackwater), Mark Sangco (NorthPort), John Capulong (NLEX), Vince Gomez (Magnolia), Ethan Galang (Meralco), Winston Ynot (Converge), Royce Mantua (San Miguel), Cole Micek (Rain or Shine), and Sean Quitevis (TNT Tropang 5G).
Aside from Canoy and Sajonia, also selected in the fourth round are Dolan Adlawan (Terrafirma), James Una (Blackwater), Judel Fuentes (NLEX), Joshua Yerro (Magnolia), Ladis Lepalam (Meralco), John Manalang (Converge), Justine Guevarra (San Miguel), Kyle Tolentino (Rain or Shine), and Daniel Celzo (TNT).
Royce Alforque (Terrafirma), Kris Gurtiza (Phoenix), Dominic Panlilio (Blackwater), Jonathan Gesalem (NorthPort), Benedict Benedictos (NLEX), Jeff Comia (Meralco), John Cauilan (Converge), Axel Iñigo (San Miguel), and MJ dela Virgen (Rain or Shine) completed the draft selection.IMT Sports
