MANILA — Champion in the first two conferences this past season, San Miguel looks to beef up its roster with the number one pick of the PBA Draft at the Robinson’s Place Atrium here on Sunday night.
Acquired through a controversial trade with the Kia Picanto that was approved on Friday night, the Beermen have an opportunity to go first in a draft class full of stars as they look to finally achieve the coveted grand slam in the upcoming 2018 season.
Fil-German big man Chris Standhardinger and flashy guard Kiefer Ravena are tipped to go 1-2 in the draft, while scoring machine Jeron Teng, bruiser Toto Jose, burly stretch-4 Jason Perkins, winger Sidney Onwubere, one-on-one champ Robbie Herndon, and guard Rey Nambatac are also among the favorites to make the first round of the draft.
NLEX will select next, followed by Blackwater and Phoenix respectively. The said teams will be using the draft rights that really belonged to them.
The Fuel Masters actually have two first round picks as they also have the eighth pick that they got from the Meralco Bolts, the same with the TNT KaTropa, who have the 10th and the 12th picks.
Meanwhile, Alaska and GlobalPort swapped positions in the draft by virtue of a 2015 trade, which means Alaska will select fifth while GlobalPort picks sixth.
Rain Or Shine has the seventh pick, while Star holds the ninth pick.
The second round could be anticipated as well as the draft class remains relatively talented from here.
NLEX goes first in the second round, while Star goes next.
The Hotshots has three second rounders as it also has the fourth and the eighth picks of the said round.
Phoenix, on the other hand, has two second round selections, the ninth and the 12th picks.
Meanwhile, Blackwaters selects third, San Miguel goes fifth, Alaska picks sixth, ROS drafts seventh, TNT goes 10th, and GlobalPort takes 11th to round out the second round. (PNA)
