FORMER Ateneo Blue Eagles Geo Chiu and Chris Koon and St. Benilde’s Will Gozum are among the 128 aspirants, who have joined the rookie draft for the Philippine Basketball Association’s 50th season.
The 6’10” Chiu and the 6’5” Koon were part of the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ finals campaigns in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
Chiu was also part of the Gilas national team and last played in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers in 2023.
Koon suited up for his final collegiate year during UAAP Season 87.
The 6’6” Gozum played for the College of St. Benilde Blazers in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and was a vital cog in the Blazers’ bid for a crown.
The list comes from university leagues and the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
Other notable entries include John Bryan Sajonia of San Beda, Letran’s Kobe Monje, Shawn Umali and Tony Ynot of College of St. Benilde, and Qatar-based guard Jacey Cruz.
The other big men who have entered the draft are Letran’s Mark Omega (6’5”), University of Santo Tomas’ Christian Manaytay (6’5”) and John Matthew Manalang (6’5”).
Also listed are Vince Magbuhos (6’5”), Ladis Lepalam (6’9”), Joseph Celso (6’5”), John Capulong (6’6”), 6’5 Paolo Quiminales, Ximon Sindayan (6’5”), Mike Canal (6’5”), Allan Beltran 6’5” , Mario Barais (6’7”) , Arnold Ando (6’7”), Dolan Adlawan (6’5”) and Kristan Hernandez (6’5”).
All applicants will go through the two-day Draft Combine on Sept. 4 and 5 before the official list of eligible draftees will be released a day after the two-day activity.
Draft Day is set Sept. 7 at the Music Hall of the Mall of Asia.
Terrafirma will have the privilege to get the season’s top overall pick followed by Phoenix and Blackwater based on the win-loss record percentage of all teams in Season 49.
