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MANILA, Philippines – Unless coach Caloy Garcia has a change of heart at the 11th hour, Jason Perkins may become the no. 1 pick overall in the 2015 PBA D-League Rookie Draft.
Racal/Keramix takes the first crack in the draft scheduled at 2 pm on Tuesday, December 1 at the PBA Cafe. Garcia said the team is eyeing the 6-foot-4 Fil-American forward out of De La Salle with their first pick.
“We need a big man,” offered Garcia, convinced Perkins perfectly fits the role.
The second pick belongs to AMA Computer on-line education and coach Mark Herrera have expressed interest in local boy Alfonso Gotladera a 6-foot-6 center from Ateneo.
“We are on the look-out for a big man who could take the place of (Dexter) Maiquez and provide J.R. Taganas some help inside. Right now, our first option is Gotladera,” Herrera said.
“But nothing is final yet. We’re also reviewing the credentials of some Fil-foreign players,” Herrera added.
Avery Scherer, who led the ASEAN Basketball League in assists and steals last season, is the most notable among 22 Fil-foreign players who are aiming to get into the PBA through its developmental league. Players who intend to join the PBA Draft must have played at least two conferences in the D-League to be eligible.
“My goal in life has always been to make the NBA and playing professionally in the Philippines is just one step closer,” the 29-year old Scherer said in a recent interview. The 6-foot-2 guard out of Shoreline Community College joined the 2010 NBA draft but went undrafted.
The third pick belongs to Tanduay Light followed by Foundation Cup champion Café France and Wangs Basketball. UP-QRS/Jam Liner, Mindanao Aguilas, National University, and Phoenix Petrolium will determine the order of selection from sixth to ninth place via lottery.
A record 215 aspirants have applied for the draft. (READ: Pessumal, Perkins lead 2015 PBA D-League Draft aspirants)
“This is a huge pool. Certainly, this is an encouraging development for the league and basketball in general,” said PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa, who wished the aspirants good luck.
“Who knows, maybe this batch could lead to new discoveries for future Gilas pools,” Narvasa added.
Other first round prospects are Ateneo’s Von Rolfe Pessumal, Julian Sargent of De La Salle, and Fil-Canadian Taylor Witherell. Taylor’s brother, Ryan, was selected 38th overall by Globalport in this year’s PBA Draft but went unsigned. – Rappler.com
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