Moala Tautuaa goes first overall in 2015 PBA Draft

Naveen Ganglani

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Moala Tautuaa goes first overall in 2015 PBA Draft
See the full results of the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – Filipino-Tongan standout Moala Tautuaa was officially named the number one pick of the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft on Sunday, August 23, at Robinsons Place Manila.

(HIGHLIGHTS: 2015 PBA Rookie Draft)

The 6-foot-7 Tautuaa, 26, was selected by the Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters, who had acquired the top pick in a trade with the Blackwater Elite last PBA season.

The reigning PBA D-League MVP was unavailable to go up on stage during the draft since he’s currently out of the country with the Philippine national basketball team, which just went 0-3 in a pocket tournament in Tallinn, Estonia.
Moala Tautuaa's parents represented him during the PBA Draft. The Fil-Tongang center is currently in Estonia with Gilas Pilipinas. Photo by Josh Albelda/Rappler
Versatile big man Troy Rosario was selected second overall by the Mahindra Enforcers. The former National University standout is also in Estonia with Gilas.
Rain or Shine then surprised everyone by picking Fil-Am Maverick Ahanmisi third overall. Ahanmisi, a former guard for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, played for the Cafe France Bakers in the PBA D-League.
For the fourth overall pick, the Meralco Bolts took Chris Newsome from Ateneo to add to their deep collection of wingmen.
With the fifth overall pick, Barangay Ginebra selected triple-double machine Earl Scottie Thompson from the Pepetual Help Altas. 
With the sixth overall pick, the NLEX Road Warriors added dynamic scorer Garvo Lanete. 
Meralco’s second selection of the day with the seventh pick was used on San Beda standout Baser Amer.
With the eighth pick of the draft, the Star Hotshots, in its first year under the Jason Webb era, took Norbert Torres from La Salle.
With the ninth selection of the draft, the Blackwater Elite took Art Dela Cruz from San Beda to add to a roster that needs as much talent as it can get.
With their second pick of the day, the NLEX Road Warriors took Glenn Khobuntin from National University with the tenth overall selection.
At the number 11 pick, the Alaska Aces – who made the finals in two conferences last PBA season – took Kevin Racal.
Ending the first round of the draft, the Elasto Painters picked up Josan Nimes of Mapua with the 12th pick. 
Draft results:
Sixth Round:
1. Blackwater Elite: Chris Palma
2. Mahindra Enforcers: Robert Hainga
3. NLEX Road Warriors: Jack Tanuan Jr.
Seventh Round:
1. Blackwater Elite: Mon Abundo
2. Mahindra Enforcers: Michael Abad
3. NLEX Road Warriors: Arvin Vitug
Eighth Round:
1. Blackwater Elite: Randy Dilay
– Rappler.com

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