Six players failed to make the final list of applicants for the PBA Season 50 Draft, trimming the original 128 hopefuls down to 122.
Highly-touted prospect Kascius Small-Martin, represented by Titan Management Group; and former La Salle guard Lian Ramiro were not included in the final pool after failing to complete their documents.
Archie Yu (33) and Raphael Mallari (29) also withdrew from the draft proper, while Wilfrid Nada and Kareem Huntley were unable to participate in the Draft Combine.
Despite the withdrawals, this year’s rookie class is a top-heavy one, headlined by 6-foot-10 slotman Geo Chiu and three prolific playmakers — Juan Gomez de Liano, Dalph Panopio, and Jason Brickman.
All four are projected to go early in the opening round of Sunday’s event at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, with Terrafirma, Converge, Blackwater, and NorthPort holding the top four picks.
The event, presented by Pocari Sweat, serves as the league’s first official activity in its golden anniversary celebration.
Other notable names are L-Jay Gonzales, Christian Manaytay, CJ Austria, Chris Koon, Yukien Andrada, Jack Cruz-Dumont, Will Gozum, Vince Magbuhos, and Tony Ynot.
Several prospects also boosted their stocks during the two-day Draft Combine at the Ynares Sports Arena, led by MVP Sonny Estil, Mythical Team members Jun Roque, Edrian Ramirez, and Mario Barasi, and Three-Point King Chris Miller.
Last year, Justin Baltazar emerged as the consensus top pick, going to the Converge FiberXers during Season 49.
