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[av_heading heading=’Elite taps Belo as No.1 PBA draft pick ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Aiming to improve its campaign in the upcoming season, the Blackwater Elite has enlisted Rey Mark Belo as their top overall pick in the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft on Sunday at Robinson’s Place in Ermita, Manila.
According to Elite head coach Leo Isaac, he chose to pick the former Far Eastern University Tamaraws star since he is the complete package: a big man that has a shooting touch from outside.
“Although hindi talaga siya yung malaki na player, pero siya yung big guy na kumpleto at nakitaan natin ng galing locally and internationally sa napakamurang edad niya,” Isaac said.
The Midsayap, Cotabato-native Belo, for his part, is ready to do everything he can to help the Elite, which finished in the lower half of the standings in its first two seasons in the league.
“Ibibigay ko ‘yung best ko na makatulong sa team. Marami rin silang young players at mga veterans. Hopefully, marami kamig matutunan at maganda ang maitakbo ng team,” Belo said.
Phoenix Fuel Master, on the other hand, drafted Filipino-American Matthew Wright as second overall pick, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings selected Kevin Ferrer at No. 3, while the Mahindra Floodbuster signed Russel Escoto at No. 4.
Star Hotshots drafted Jiovani Jalalon at No. 5, the San Miguel Beermen picked up Arnold Van Opstal at No. 6, the Meralco Bolts went after Eduardo Daquioag at No. 7, while the NLEX Road Warriors enlisted Alfonso Gotladera at No. 8.
Meanwhile, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters picked Chris Michael Tolomia at No. 9. The Alaska Aces selected Carl Bryan Cruz at No. 10, while GlobalPort Batang Pier and TNT Katropa claimed Von Pessumal and Roger Pogoy, respectively.
BANAL TOPS ‘REGULAR DRAFT’
Raphael Banal, meanwhile, was selected by the Elite as its top-overall pick in the PBA regular rookie draft, which succeeded the special drafts for the Gilas Pilipinas Cadets members.
Elite team manager Jonson Martines said that they chose the 6-foot-2 Banal, son of former PBA coach Joel Banal, due to his ability to play point guard and his accurate outside shooting.
“We’re very impressed with his (Banal) performance during the PBA Rookie Draft Combine,” said Martines. “He’s a big guard with a good outside shooting. I think he can really help us in our campaign next season.”/PN
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