Filipino-American sniper Roosevelt Adams will be going to Columbian after being selected by the Dyip with the first overall pick of the 2019 PBA Regular draft, Sunday at Robinson’s Manila.
Adams was a crucial part of the Mighty Sports squad that eventually took home the 2019 William Jones cup championship. He topped the PBA Draft combine after winning the Most Valuable Player plum.
The 6-foot-5 guard dropped 33 points in the combine, where he led Team SMC to an 87-79 victory over Team PLDT in the two-day tournament.
Adams will be joining 2018 top overall pick CJ Perez — also a Columbian pick — and Rawshawn Mcarthy in the Dyip’s guard rotation.
In his first order of business at the helm of the Blackwater Elite, newly-minted head coach Nash Racela picked Former Harlem Globetrotter Maurice Shaw with the second overall pick.
The 34-year-old bruiser showcased his talents overseas, playing for PEA and Kabayan in the Thailand Basketball League. There, he played with PBA veterans Rudy Lingganay and Leo Avenido. Shaw also suited up for NLEX-SCTEX in the 2017 Merlion Cup.
Shaw will fill up the void left by JP Erram a year ago.
MPBL star Mike Ayonayon came in as a surprise pick after being nabbed by the NLEX Road Warriors with the third overall pick.
The 6-foot hotshot — who looks to emulate his childhood idol and teammate Mac Cardona — was named as the Finals MVP after averaging 16.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. He led the San Juan Knights to the top of the MPBL Datu Cup.
Ayonayon also played for the Marinerong Pilipino in the 2019 D-League.
Alaska beefed up their frontline with the addition of FEU’s Barkley Ebona through the fourth overall pick. Meanwhile, Rain or Shine picked up a 3-and-D specialist in Adrian Wong of Ateneo with the fifth pick.
After selecting Wong, the Elasto Painters used the sixth pick on another two-way guard in Clint Doliguez, before nabbing Prince Rivero with the seventh overall selection.
Former Adamson star Sean Manganti came in eight overall, joining Northport. Manila Stars defensive ace Aris Dionisio was picked ninth overall, reinforcing the frontline of Magnolia.
Barangay Ginebra snatched stretch forward Arvin Tolentino of FEU with the tenth overall pick. TNT and Columbian capped off the first round with Kib Montalbo and Christian Balagasay, respectively.
