PBA Scores, News and Updates

[Lord Nok Von Hauten]

Pwede si paul lee sa ginebra para sa bigman. Pero hindi si slaughter at aguilay kundi si reyes at si mamaril tapos isama na si caguia... Ayos na ayos yan...

[Zurca]

Alaska already fielding ‘multiple’ offers for rookie Chris Banchero, says coach Alex Compton

Alaska coach Alex Compton, who was fortunate to have talented guard Chris Banchero fall on his lap at No. 5 in the PBA Rookie Draft, admitted on Monday that the team has already received multiple offers from teams interested in trading for the Filipino-Italian rookie.

“There are a lot of teams that expressed interest in him. That only goes to show how valuable our pickup in the draft is,” Compton told InterAksyon.com in an interview.

But Compton added they would like to see what they have in Banchero before they even consider moving him.

“We’ll see how Chris fits into our system and how he’ll play alongside the other players. But definitely, we’re happy to pick him up at No. 5.”

The Aces’ mentor admitted that it was a surprise to the team when the former ASEAN Basketball League Finals MVP was still available for them at No. 5.

They quickly jumped at the opportunity to draft the 6-foot-1 guard, who impressed observers at the PBA Draft Combine days before.

“He’s hard to pass up. He is No. 1 in the biometrics and topped almost category there,” he said.

The coach was also pleasantly surprised with their selection of San Beda’s Rome De La Rosa in the second round.

“We were hoping that he would be available at No. 13. We were expecting he’ll be selected in the early goings and we’re fortunate to have him in the second round,” Compton added.

“I wasn’t joking when I passed by coach Boyet Fernandez and told him how he had done a great job on Rome. He seems to be a good teacher and Rome had learned valuable things from his teachings.”

From InterAksyon

[Zurca]

Tim Cone ‘extremely impressed’ by Chot Reyes in Gilas Pilipinas’ tough loss to Croatia

“Extremely impressive. I thought Chot coached brilliantly.”

That was how the winningest coach in PBA history, Tim Cone, described how Philippine national men’s basketball team coach Chot Reyes steered Gilas Pilipinas in its tough overtime loss to Croatia in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Reyes caught the fancy of the American mentor, who once coached the Philippine team to the Asian Games with his game adjustments and strategies that enabled the Filipinos to push the powerhouse Croatians to the limit.

“He made great adjustments throughout the game and showed his trust to all his players,” Cone wrote in a text message to InterAksyon.

Cone has served in different capacities for the national squad, including helping Reyes when the latter was first appointed as the Philippine team coach in 2007.

The San Mig Coffee bench tactician served as Reyes’ deputy in the Tokushima FIBA Asia Championship. When Reyes was appointed as coach of the national team for the second time, the American mentor lend a helping hand by giving him inputs while preparing for the FIBA Asia Championship last year.

Cone said that Reyes made the Gilas Pilipinas players believe that they could play at a very competitive level in the FIBA World Cup.

The Philippines is playing in the world level for the first time since 1978, and is now ready to earn the respect of the world’s best basketball teams in the world’s biggest tournament.

“They really showed that we have the potential to compete at the highest level internationally,” added Cone.

From InterAksyon

[Zurca]

‘The Kraken’ is FIBA World Cup’s 2nd most ‘efficient’ player, just behind Pau Gasol

Philippine national men’s basketball team center June Mar Fajardo is the second most efficient player in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, according to RealGM.com, a website which provides advanced statistics to NBA teams.

Fajardo got a total of 44.92 Player Efficiency Rating (PER), just behind Spain’s Pau Gasol who had 48.66. The reigning PBA Most Valuable Player also ranked ahead of Slovenia’s Zoran Dragic (44.82), Team USA’s Anthony Davis (41.46) and Spain’s Serge Ibaka (41.41).

The PER, developed by renowned advanced stats advocate and now Memphis Grizzlies executive John Hollinger, “sums up all a player’s positive accomplishments, subtracts the negative accomplishments, and returns a per-minute rating of a player’s performance.” It uses a formula which calculates data from the traditional box scores of a game.

Fajardo is averaging six points on 58.3 percent shooting, four rebounds, and one block, over 9.3 minutes a game.

From InterAksyon

[Zurca]

‘Unti-unti nang nagbabalik loob’: Paul Lee in talks with Yeng Guiao about staying put with Rain or Shine

“May tsansa pa, unti-unti nang nagbabalik loob.”

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao confirmed to InterAksyon.com that he already talked to star point guard Paul Lee about the possibility of staying with the Elasto Painters for the upcoming PBA season.

“Nag-usap kami sa phone kahapon (Thursday). Mukhang OK naman dahil it seems, may mga ibang tao rin siyang nakakausap while he was in Spain,” said Guiao in a telephone interview.

“When he comes home, mag-uusap ulit kami para ma-finalize na.”

Lee is one of the four Rain or Shine players included to the Gilas Pilipinas pool.

Prior to the team’s participation in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, Lee made known his intention to be traded and play elsewhere.

But following his recent conversation with Guiao, it seems that Lee could continue his career with the Elasto Painters, who offered the 6-foot-1 guard a maximum contract.

Once Lee decides to come back and play for the Elasto Painters, Guiao will have to make another tough decision.

“Ang problem ko lang, kapag bumalik si Paul, ang dami na naming guards,” Guiao added.

Rain or Shine has just signed up second overall pick Kevin Alas, whom the team drafted in anticipation of Lee’s possible departure.

From InterAksyon
Post Merge: September 06, 2014, 08:58:33 AMHuge cash incentives await Gilas players

SEVILLE, Spain – Members of Gilas Pilipinas will be dividing significant amount of cash incentives for their worthy showing in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

In dinner at the end of Gilas’ “WC” journey, SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan announced a bonus that would be available any time for each member of the team.

“Those going home tomorrow just let us know how you want to receive, in pesos, euro or us dollars,” said Pangilinan to the cheers from the members of the team.

A Filipino-Chinese group led by businessmen/sportsmen Cecilio Pedro and Deoceldo Sy, and the PBA board both announced a cash windfall of P1 million to be divided by the team.

Asked later by the sportswriters privately how much he’s giving the players as bonus, Pangilinan smiled and said: “It’s more than what the others give. They fully deserve it.”

From PhilStar.com
Post Merge: September 06, 2014, 10:00:33 PMGilas Pilipinas players arrive in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The boys are back in town.

After their gutsy showing at the FIBA World Cup in Spain, the first batch of the Philippine men's national basketball team arrived in Manila on Saturday, September 6.

Players Jay Washington, Paul Lee, Beau Belga, June Mar Fajardo, Jayson Castro, Jeff Chan, Gary David, and Ranidel De Ocampo plus assistant coach Ryan Gregorio landed in the Philippines, where they will begin preparations for the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, which begin September 19.

Gilas lost their first 4 games to Croatia, Greece, Argentina and Puerto Rico before concluding their run with a two-point victory over Senegal. The win was their first at the World Championships in 40 years, while their inclusion was the country's first in 36 years.

From Rappler

[Zurca]

Back from Spain, Paul Lee a no-show at Rain or Shine’s Monday practice

Star guard Paul Lee arrived in Manila from Spain on Saturday, fresh from his stint with Gilas Pilipinas at the FIBA World Cup.

He was expected to show up at Rain or Shine’s practice on Monday, but he was not around, and failed to advise the PBA team’s staff as to whether or not he would indeed be around.

Beau Belga, a member of the Gilas pool who accompanied the team to Spain, dropped by and watched his team practice.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao was also anticipating Lee would show up. He spent Monday morning instead making light of the situation.

“Nagtago sa inyo (media). Alam yata na dadating kayo eh,” Guiao told InterAksyon.com.

Guiao said settling with Lee is now the primary concern of the squad, and the coach is setting a time frame of up to the end of the week for things to be clear. While in Spain last week, Lee was bared to have asked for trade from Rain or Shine, though Guiao later said that the two sides were talking, and relations between team and player seemed warm enough to remain hopeful.

“Ang pinaka-urgent sa ngayon, we need to settle with Paul,” Guiao said. “Kailangan naming malaman kung ano yung final plans niya, kung ano yung desisyon niya.”

“Doon naka-hinge yung plano ng team. Kapag andyan na siya, madali nang mag-manipulate ng rest of the other moves. Pero habang wala pa siya dyan, naka-hold lahat yung desisyon. The latest maybe is this week, we want to know what his plans are and what our options are after that.”

From InterAksyon


Two-time MVPs Willie Miller, Danny Ildefonso still left unsigned for upcoming PBA season

In PBA history, only few players have won the Most Valuable Player award at least two times.

Danny Ildefonso and Willie Miller, two future Hall of Famers, are among those included on the list.

More than a decade ago, they were the best in their respective positions. But how time flew by so fast — now, both of them are still left unsigned about a month before the start of the new PBA season.

For the first time in his career, Miller, MVP awardee in 2002 and 2007, felt uneasy.

“Ngayon lang kasi nangyari sa akin yung ganito,” Miller told InterAksyon.com in a telephone interview. “Siguro dahil hindi maganda yung resulta ng takbo ng team last year.”

Miller has been continuously working out with Barako Bull during the offseason and the lefty veteran guard is hoping he would be given a chance.

“Gusto ko kasi talaga magtapos ng career ko dito kasi dito rin ako nagsimula,” he added.

Miller said that he wants to finish his career with a championship — a feat which he might have to do elsewhere should Barako Bull opt not to re-sign him.

“Wish ko pa rin talaga magkaroon ng magandang exit and manalo ng championship,” he added.

Miller said that he is not yet ready to hang up his sneakers as he likes the challenge of going up against younger players.

“Ang basketball naman hindi lang panay takbo. Maraming nagsasabi ang laki ko raw, eh kailangan talagang magpalaki atsaka sa nakikita ko, kadalasan naman na magagaling na player hindi panay bilis lang. Tapos na ako doon sa panahon na mabilis ako,” explained Miller.

“Kailangan magaling ka mag-set up. Kailangan alam mo kung kelan ka tatakbo at kelan ka magsi-set up. Gusto kong makalaban yung mga batang players kasi doon ko mapapatunayan kung hanggang saan na lang ba ako. Kapag nakita ko na hindi ko na kayang sumabay sa kanila, ako na mismo magriretiro.”


Ildefonso also without a team

Like Miller, Ildefonso is also having difficulty finding a team.

He was picked up by Blackwater in the dispersal draft, but both camps failed to reach an agreement.

Blackwater owner Dioceldo Sy said the veteran slotman was asking too much.

“He’s overpricing himself, kaya I’m not interested in him anymore,” said Sy.

Ildefonso’s manager, William Ong, explained they’re not asking for the moon as told by Sy.

“Hindi naman totoong humihingi kami ng malaki. Pero huwag naman kaming bibigyan ng maliit dahil kung ganun ang ibibigay, huwag ka na maglaro,” said Ong.

With Ildefonso failing to come to terms with Blackwater, his rights will still be retained by the Meralco Bolts, the last team he played for.

From InterAksyon

[spidey]

wow willie boy in trouble, sana may kumuha pa dito sayang naman basta basta na lang hindi maglaro

[Troll Montero]

kia ang kukuha sa kanila


Sent from my iMommy

[Zurca]

Paul Lee’s manager wants appointment with Rain or Shine management to resolve contract issue

With Paul Lee back from the Philippine national men’s basketball team’s campaign in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain, his camp will attempt to finally resolve the ongoing contract dispute with mother team Rain or Shine in the coming days.

Lee arrived in the country on Saturday and was expected to make an appearance during Rain or Shine’s practice session on Monday but failed to show up.

“Of course, pahinga lang muna siya after nung FIBA and hopefully, maka-set kami ng appointment with RoS management in the next few days,” Lee’s manager Lawrence Chongson told InterAksyon.com.

He reiterated that no deal with Rain or Shine has been reached and that they are still waiting to see what the Elasto Painters’ next move will be.

“It’s not for us to decide since RoS owns the rights to Paul, kung pipirmahin o i-te-trade ba nila. Call nila yun eh,” Chongson said.

Rain or Shine had previously offered Lee the maximum contract but the player’s camp held off from signing it before eventually requesting a trade to a different PBA team.

“We’ve been getting mixed signals from them through media. May lalabas na willing silang i-trade, meron din naman na hindi i-te-trade at nitong huli nga eh kailangan daw mag-usap muna,” he added.

“So hihintay lang din namin kung what’s next.”

From InterAksyon


Lee will stay with Rain or Shine

Former Rookie of the Year winner Paul Lee will stay with Rain or Shine.

Hounded by bad publicity after asking the ROS management that he will be traded to another team, the mercurial point guard had a chance of heart, saying he will continue playing for the team he helped become a consistent title contenders the past two years.

Sources disclosed yesterday that the 6-foot-1 Lee actually already made a decision last week but has kept mum on the issue since – at that time – he was still focused with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup in Seville, Spain.

“He’ll stay with ROS,” said a source, who requested not to be named as Lee has to formally make an official announcement.

Another person who has knowledge with Lee’s decision said that it was last week when he made up his mind after consulting some confidants particularly those who are close to him even while he was in Spain.

Lee arrived last Saturday with several other players, including his Rain or Shine teammates Jeff Chan and Beau Belga.

After Gilas scored an 81-79 overtime win over Senegal, the country’s first in 40 years in the tournament, Lee reportedly said that he will visit Rain or Shine’s practice session once he returns home.

Lee was also quoted that he also wants to have a ‘heart-to-heart’ talk with ROS mentor Yeng Guiao, whom he considers like a father.

Asked to comment on Lee’s change of heart, Guiao was happy although he wants to hear it personally from his prized guard.

“One of the reasons why he treats me like a father is because he knows that I’m actually concerned about his welfare. This is not for me, this is for him, for his own good,” said Guiao.

Through his manager, former UE Coach Lawrence Chongson, Lee announced his desire to be traded to another team at the end of his three-year contract with ROS, which expired last Aug. 31.

Lee made the request despite Rain or Shine’s offer of a new maximum three-year deal worth P15.1 million.

In previous interviews, Guiao has said that it is not in the character of Lee to ask for something like that, adding that there night be people manipulating the prized guard from Tondo, Manila.

From Manila Bulletin
Post Merge: September 10, 2014, 08:27:47 PMLG Sakers defeat Ginebra in 'Asian Basketball Showdown'

MANILA, Philippines - The Changwon LG Sakers prevailed in the "Asian Basketball Showdown" by outlasting the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 81-76, on Tuesday evening, September 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Leading the Korean side was import Christopher Massie, who finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Ki Seung Ho pitched in 21 markers.

Kim Si Rae also contributed by registering 13 markers.

Greg Slaughter had 23 markers and 12 boards to lead Ginebra, who also got a combined 26 points from Mac Bacarael and Chris Ellis.

Gilas cagers Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio made it back from Spain in time for the game, but didn't suit up for the Gin Kings.

From Rappler
Post Merge: September 10, 2014, 08:29:59 PMPBA considering opening new season at 55,000-seat Philippine Arena

Last year, the Philippine Basketball Association opened its season in three different cities across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, drawing an audience of over 30,000 combined.

This year, the league is looking to top that as it considers holding the ceremonies in the country’s largest arena – the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena at the Ciudad de Victoria in Bocaue, Bulacan.

PBA operations chief Rickie Santos confirmed in a text message that the league would like to kick off the new season in the venue if things are in place in time.

“Yup, may chance if the facilities are laid out on September 18,” Santos said.

The PBA is set to make a final inspection on that date but said that the facilities were not yet set during their previous visit to the arena.

“We asked them when we were there last month, malamang doon mag-opening,” Santos said. “Last time we went there, wala pa silang basketball floor.”

The Philippine Arena, owned by Iglesia ni Cristo, has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest mixed-use indoor theater when an audience of 51,919 attended the worship of the INC’s 100th anniversary.

Aside from the basketball coliseum, the complex that holds the arena has the Philippine Sports Stadium – a football and track stadium that seats 20,000 – a sports center, an indoor aquatic and tennis center, a hotel and a 600-bed hospital.

The PBA does not foresee any problems with having their opening there despite arena management being selective about the activities held in the venue.

“Ayaw lang nila yung mga sabong and anything that has to do with gambling,” newly-installed PBA chairman Patrick Gregorio of Talk ‘N Text said.

The PBA will open its new season on October 19 with a total of 12 teams, with two new expansion squads – Blackwater and Kia – and one franchise that changed ownership, NLEX, set to take part.

From InterAksyon

[spidey]

Meralco gets Anthony in three-team deal with NLEX, Blackwater
September 11, 2014

MANILA, Philippines – Meralco, undergoing a serious revamp under new coach Norman Black, is acquiring energetic forward Sean Anthony through a trade deal with sister team NLEX with Blackwater serving as conduit.

The Bolts are also taking in guard Simon Atkins while moving veteran players Sunday Salvacion and Jason Ballesteros over to the Blackwater Sports Elite.

In giving away Anthony and Atkins, the Road Warriors, meanwhile, get Blackwater’s 2016 and 2017 second-round picks along with rookie Juneric Baloria.

Meralco, NLEX and Blackwater have finalized the deal which, however, still needs the approval of PBA commissioner Chito Salud.

The three teams believe they have got a fair deal.

Black, just back from Spain where he helped out coach Chot Reyes in Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the FIBA World Cup, is looking to improve the makeup of the Meralco team which has yet to make a major breakthrough in the PBA since joining the league in 2010.

Last season was particularly bad for the Bolts who failed to finish better than seventh in each of the three conferences.

Talk n Text also didn’t fare above expectation, prompting the MVP Group bosses to effect major changes in the coaching rosters and management teams of the Texters and the Bolts.

Meanwhile, NLEX and Blackwater are in the process of fine-tuning the lineups that they're introducing in PBA Season 40.

Coach Boyet Fernandez officially assumes the head-coaching position at Meralco at the end of the current NCAA season.

Coach Leo Isaac is on board Blackwater.

[Zurca]

No-show, negotiation delays only hurting Paul Lee’s image, says Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao

Restricted free agent Paul Lee, fresh off a stint with the Philippine national men’s basketball team in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, has been back in the country for almost a week but there’s still no sign of him at the Rain or Shine camp.

Lee was expected to be back in practice with his PBA club last Monday but has neither attended any training session nor even been in touch with anyone from the team.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, who last spoke to Lee in an overseas call where the player told his coach that they would talk personally after he returned, questioned the decision of Lee’s camp to prolong the negotiations.

“I don’t see any advantage for their side if they keep on delaying these negotiations,” Guiao told InterAksyon.com in a telephone interview. “Kami, okay lang kami because their decision of delaying the talk doesn’t put our team at a disadvantage.”

“The more na tumatagal, the more na nakakasira rin sa image niya.”

Rain or Shine had already offered Lee the maximum contract allowed within PBA rules but the player’s camp held off from signing it before eventually making a request to be traded.

The team, though, is still hoping to come to an agreement with their star guard but his continued absence has kept the two sides from holding negotiations.

Guiao said that Rain or Shine had already made preparations for the worst case scenario, as indicated by their selection of guard Kevin Alas with their second overall pick in last month’s PBA Rookie Draft.

“Napaghandaan na namin yan. In fact, kami, tatakbo yung team even without him. Eh siya, ano gagawin niya?” the fiery coach said.

“I really don’t see any advantage on their part sa pag-de-delay ng usapan.”

Guiao added that while Rain or Shine can afford to be patient with Lee at the moment, the team is not willing to wait for him for too long a time.

“We can wait for him. We can wait for him even until next year,” the coach said.

“But we cannot wait for him forever.”

From InterAksyon
Post Merge: September 13, 2014, 05:38:10 PMJune Mar Fajardo hopes mentor Danny I lands PBA contract: ‘Sana makalaban ko pa siya’

With two-time PBA MVP Danny Ildefonso still left unsigned after failing to come to terms with expansion team Blackwater Sports, current MVP and one-time teammate June Mar Fajardo is hoping that his former mentor’s basketball career hasn’t met its end just yet.

“Sana makalaban ko pa siya sa PBA,” Fajardo told News5 in a visit to the TV5 Media Center in Reliance, Malanduyong.

“Kasi kuya ko yun. Gusto ko pa siya makalaro sa court eh.”

The veteran Ildefonso was left by mother club Meralco on its unprotected list prior to the PBA expansion draft, where he was selected by Blackwater. The two sides could not come to an agreement regarding salary, though, and Ildefonso was left without a contract.

The 24-year-old Fajardo, coming off a strong campaign with the Philippine national men’s basketball team in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, believes his old teammate still deserves to be in the PBA.

Fajardo – who experienced Ildefonso’s mentoring firsthand – said the veteran’s work ethic and willingness to impart knowledge to younger players would be an asset to any pro team.

The pride of Pinagmugahan, Cebu added that Ildefonso still has it in him to be a contributor on the floor – and not just for this season.

“Mga four years pa siguro.”

From Rappler

[spidey]

akala ko ok na si Paul Lee balik na ulit sa RoS.... maaga ito malalaos pag hindi niya inaayus ang ganyan problema..

Kawawa naman si Danny I... dapat kunin na lang ulit ng SMB at i retire after season... 2time MVP tapos ganun lang kakatapusan ng career niya

[ThrashMetal]

Hindi na kasi seryosong maglaro si miller. Puro joke nalang sya. Ginagawa nyang comedy ang basketball. Kung nagseryoso sana sya edi may contract sya ngayon. Malakas pa naman maglaro.

Sent from my mom's iPad using Tapatalk

[Troll Montero]

Danny I. masyado kase mataas ang presyo na gusto nang agent niya.. dapat tanggapin nalang nila na pana-panahon ang pagiging superstar, at tapos na ang panahon ni Danny I. Kung ayaw nila nang alok na sweldo mas maganda naman talaga na mag retire nalang siya at madame na siyang napatunayan sa larangan nang basketball.. Puede naman siya pumasok na isa sa coaching staff ng any team just like Aducul and the rest of the veteran Big Mens of the PBA..

ABout Lee, maaga lalaos yan kapag ganyan, baka mamaya kuhanin pa siya nang RoS tapos di siya gamitin ibangko may saltik pa naman si coach Yeng hehe...

[Zurca]

Tautuaa, Newsome, Van Opstal headline PBA D-League draft

MANILA, Philippines – In a move that came as no surprise, the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns selected Fil-Tongan 6-foot-7 big man Moala Tautuaa as the first overall pick in the 2014 PBA D-League Draft held at the PBA Office in Libis, Quezon City on Monday, September 15.

Expected to be one of the top picks in the 2015 PBA Draft, Tautuaa will first spend the next few months in the D-League as part of his residency as a Filipino-foreign before becoming eligible to turn pro.

Tautuaa is currently suiting up for the Malaysia Dragons in the Asean Basketball League, where he’s averaging 11.1 PPG and 6.5 RPG.

Going second in the D-League Draft to Tanduay Light was Ateneo second-year man Chris Newsome, whose Blue Eagle teammate, Nico Elorde, was taken by Hapee-San Beda as the ninth pick in the third round.

Rounding up the top three is DLSU big man and 2013 UAAP Most Improved Player of the Year Arnold Van Opstal, who will suit up for Café France-CEU in the upcoming Aspirants Cup of the D-League, which begins on October 27 at the Ynares Sports Arena.

With the fourth pick, Cebuana Lhuillier attained Van Opstal’s teammate at La Salle, Norbert Torres, who’s currently playing his last season with the Green Archers in the UAAP. Going fifth was Kris Rosales to Jumbo Plastic, while FEU Tamaraws starting center Anthony Hargrove was selected sixth overall by M-Builders-FEU.

University of the East star Roi Sumang was selected first overall in the second round and will team up with Newsome at Tanduay Light. His Red Warriors teammates Bong Galanza (second round, third pick) and Chris Javier (second round, ninth pick) were also taken by Café France-CEU and Hapee-San Beda, respectively.

UST’s Rob Hainga was taken seventh by Wangs Basketball, followed by Fabren Redoh who was picked eighth by Racal-St. Claire.

Maverick Ahanmisi (Hapee-San Beda), Rizalde Angeles (AMA Titans), Hernal Escocio (MP Hotel), and John Azores (Bread Story) round up the rest of the first round draftees.

Meanwhile, CSB Blazers stalwart Jonathan Grey was picked up by Cagayan Valley in the second round, which was also where Achie Inigo of FEU was claimed by M-Builders-FEU. Later on in the third round, the third big man from the Green Archers was drafted as Yutien Andrada went 27th overall to Café France-CEU.

DLSU shooter Almond Vosotros fell to the fourth round where Cebuana Lhuillier took him with the fourth pick.

Other UAAP players selected late include Kent Lao of UST and JR Gallarza of UP, both of whom went in the sixth round to Tanduay Light and M-Builders-FEU, respectively.

A total of 153 hopefuls applied for the D-League Draft.

From Rappler
Post Merge: September 15, 2014, 06:32:49 PMDaniel Padilla to play in PBA D-League?

MANILA, Philippines – Is teen star Daniel Padilla adding basketball player to his resume?

In a surprising move, the AMA Titans selected the actor in the 15th round of the 2014 PBA D-League Draft Monday.

Padilla was the lone pick in the 15th and final round, after the league's 11 other teams elected to pass.

Tournament director Eric Castro confirmed to reporters at the draft that Padilla is eligible to play for the AMA Titans since he is enrolled at the school.

Padilla was surprised by the news. "Siyempre po gusto ko maglaro for PBA pero hindi po totoo ang balita," the actor said in a text message.

In a statement to ABS-CBN News, Castro admitted that Padilla was not part of the 153 players who applied for the draft.

"But AMA invoked its right as a school-based team to sign a player who is enrolled in its school even though he didn't apply for the draft," Castro said in the statement.

Filipino-Tongan big man Moala Tautuaa was the top pick of the draft, selected No. 1 by Cagayan Valley.

From ABS-CBN Sports