From playing on earth-packed courts in Cotabato, Mac Belo now has the burden of shifting fledgeling PBA franchise, Blackwater’s fortunes.
The cornerstone of the FEU squad that took the UAAP Season 78 title, Belo was selected by Blackwater, who has consistently missed the PBA playoffs since coming into the league two years ago, in the special Gilas draft held at the Robinson’s Place in Ermita.
Tagged as the best point guard in collegiate basketball over the last two years, Jio Jalalon went to the guard-laden Stad Hotshots, who made future-shifting moves over the offseason, also out of the Gilas draft.
In the Gilas draft, UST standout Kevin Ferrer went to Commissioner’s Cup champions Ginebra; Belo’s Season 78 teammates Russell Escoto, Roger Pogoy and Mike Tolomia were selected by the Mahindra Enforcers, Rain or Shine and TNT, respectiely; DLSU’s Arnold VaN Opstal headed to the San Miguel Beermen; combo guard Ed Daquiaog was picked by the MeralcO Bolts; former Ateneo bigman Fonzo Gotladera was selected by the NLEX Road Warriors; sweet shooting Von Pessumal climbed the stage for Globalport; D-League veteran Carl Cruz wore the Alaska Aces’ colors; while versatile Fil-Am wing Matthew Wright was picked by the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
In the regular draft, Blackwater picked Fil-Am guard Raphael Banal first overall. After piloting the NU Bulldogs to the Season 77 UAAP title, point guard Gelo Alolino starts his PBA journey as the second overall pick by Phoenix.
Ginebra then added Jammer Jamito with the third pick; Mahindra picked up Mapua’s prodigal son, Joseph Eriobu fourth; Star added UE standout Chris Javier with the fifth pick to solve their frountcourt problems; former AMA Online Education Titan Rashawn McCarthy added another Fil-Am to San Miguel; known scorer Jonathan Grey took his talents to Meralco; while NU’s Reden Celda went to NLEX. Rain or Shine then passed on their first round pick.
Former UP Maroon and NCAA broadcaster Mikee Reyes was the second to the last pick of the draft, going to the TNT Katropa while Levi Hernandez also made TNT his home as the 37th overall pick.
