A reunion between former University of the Philippines teammates over at the Blackwater camp appears imminent, as the Bossing selected Jun Manzo in the fourth round of the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft, Sunday at the TV5 Media Center.
Being nabbed with the 39th pick could mean that he’ll get to work once more with fellow Cebuano Paul Desiderio, forming the backcourt combo that helped the Fighting Maroons reach the UAAP Season 81 Finals.
The 23-year-old playmaker played for three years with UP after transferring from University of the Visayas. He averaged 8.4 points, 4.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds in his final year where UP finished third in Season 82.
Manzo also saw action in the PBA D-League and in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, where he played for Zamboanga-Family’s Brand Sardines.
Jay Javelosa of Ateneo was the first pick of the fourth round, going to Terrafirma at 37th overall, followed by Marvin Moraga, who was drafted at no. 38 by NorthPort.
NLEX took Joe Presbitero of San Beda at no. 40. Rain or Shine selected RJ Argamino with the no. 41 pick. Argamino was one of the players announced by the Zamboanga Valientes as their players in pro league NBL last night.
Magnolia used its no. 42 pick on Andoy Estrella, a former player of head coach Chito Victolero in Mapua.
San Miguel picked former UAAP gold medalist with National University Med Salim at no. 44. Meralco picked second-generation player Louie Brill at no. 45, while Phoenix Super LPG took Fil-German Max Hentschel with the 46th pick.
TNT picked last and chose Far Eastern University product Joel Lee Yu to end the round that saw Alaska pass.
