PBL: Fil-Am is top pick, Ateneo withdraws

MANILA, Oct.3 (PNA)--A record 47 players were drafted by the seven competing teams in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) tournament that opens shop on October 25.

Overshadowed by Ateneo's sudden withdrawal from the PBL Rookie Draft on Tuesday was the selection of Fil-American player Chris Ross by the Pharex Medics.

The six-foot-one inch Ross was tabbed No.1 draft pick at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City and is expected to fill in Pharex Medics' need for stability and scoring sock they lacked in the past tournaments.

Coach Carlo Tan said of Ross:"He’s not a fancy player like other Fil-foreign players but I’m sure he can get the job done."

The Medics also drafted Adamson's drafted Adamson’s Michael Galinato (2nd round), Mapua’s Ian Mazo (3rd round), Letran’s John Melegrito (4th), Adamson’s Junard Yambot (5th round) and Adamson’s Jerick Canada (6th round) in their bid to reach the semis this time.

With the withdrawal of seven Ateneo players, Hapee also drafted seven more times, taking in Christoper Canta, Mark Sarangay, Vengie Vergara, Ely Olarte, Chuck Dalanon, Josh Vanlandingham and Andy Mejos.

Other first round picks were La Salle’s Brian Ilad (Burger King), Lance Convento of California State Fullerton (Hapee Toothpaste), Erick Suguitan of ACSAT (Harbour Centre) and Paul Lee of University of the East (Bacchus Energy Drink).

Multi-titled Harbour Centre which lost eight players to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), drafted the 6-foot-7 Suguitan also drafted La Salle’s Peejay Barua, University of Visayas’ Von Lanete, Reynald Cui and Jessey Garcia.

Toyota Otis chose Mapua’s Allan Mangahas as the No. 2 pick while Magnolia took Spartacus Rodriguez of San Francisco State University as the No. 3 pick.

La Salle’s James Mangahas was taken by Toyota Otis in the second round. The Sparks also got Mapua’s Jason Pascual, La Salle’s Bader Malabes, Letran’s Alvin Cabonce and Letran’s Clarence Foronda.

Meantime, Burger King, which will be bannered by San Beda players this time, also took Vic Manuel, Raffy Ynion, Jeremiah de Leon and Michael Gamboa.