A quartet of standouts that includes a former UAAP Rookie of the Year declared for the 2021 PBA Draft on Thursday, January 14.
Former De La Salle Green Archer Andrei Caracut, big man Tzaddy Rangel, NCAA champion Jun Bonsubre, and the well-traveled Max Duran-Hentschel have decided to join thie draft, sports agent Charlie Dy confirmed to Rappler.
Caracut, a former Gilas Under-16 player, played 5 seasons for DLSU from 2015-2019. He was named the UAAP’s best freshman in 2015 and won a title in 2016 under head coach Aldin Ayo, who was one of Caracut’s 4 coaches at La Salle.
Caracut also suited up for Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) last year before it was shelved due to the coronavirus pandemic.
At 5-foot-11, the former captain of the Green Archers can play either guard position. His outside shooting has been his strongest ability since he played high school basketball for San Beda, and will be critical to earn playing time in the pro level due to the importance of three-point shooting.
“I’m confident with the techniques that the coaches taught me in college that I can apply in the pro,” Caracut told Rappler. He was also mentored by Juno Sauler, Louie Gonzales, and Jermaine Byrd.
“More than that, I’m a really good teammate, hardworking, and hungry for success, so expect me to give my best in every training and every game.”
“I’m used to playing with different coaches and systems [so I’m okay with] any team, but maybe I’m more fit with a slow-paced team,” he responded when asked if there’s a team he prefers to land in.
Caracut also admitted he’s working on strengthening his body after receiving advise from his former teammate and current TNT guard Kib Montalbo.
“Madalas ko kausap si Kib and palagi niya sinasabi na mabibigat mga players at magugulang talaga maglaro, kaya talaga nagpapalakas ako.”
(I talk to Kib often and he always say the players are heavier and can really outsmart you, that’s why I really have to work on my strength.)
Rangel played high school basketball for La Salle Greenhills and Hope Christian before committing to the NU Bulldogs in 2015.
After failing to gain adequate playing time in college, Rangel displayed an improved skillset by battling foreign opponents as Alab’s backup big man last ABL season.
Because of his uncanny ability to score on putbacks and stretch the floor as a shooting big, and because PBA teams constantly search for depth in their front court, there is a chance that Rangel goes in the early rounds of the draft.
Bonsubre was part of San Beda’s five-peat run as a backup big. Since then he’s played in the PBA D-League and most recently in the MPBL, where he was fielded by Mandaluyong, Bulacan, and Zamboanga.
Known as a solid rebounder, the 6-foot-5 slotman is working on expanding his game to fit in as a wing player in the next level.
Duran-Hentschel’s journey has seen him play basketball in the Philippines, Singapore, Germany, China, the United States, and Amsterdam.
The 22-year-old’s ability to play shooting guard at the height of 6-foot-4 is intriguing in addition to his vast basketball experience from playing in different cultures of the world.
The 2021 PBA Draft is scheduled on March 14 with Terrafirma selecting first overall for a third straight year. Their last two top choices were CJ Perez and Roosevelt Adams, two talented young players in the PBA.
NorthPort will select second while NLEX will pick third (from Blackwater) and fourth. Rounding out the rest of round one are Rain or Shine, Magnolia, Alaska, San Miguel, Meralco, Phoenix, NorthPort (from TNT), and Ginebra.
The deadline for submission of applications is on Wednesday, January 27.
Studs like Joshua Munzon, Jeremiah Gray, Jamie Malonzo, Troy Rike, Santi Santillan, and Alvin Pasaol are expected to headline the class of 2021.
A few more interesting names could join. According to San Beda Red Lions team manager Jude Roque, NCAA MVP Calvin Oftana will make his decision after the current Gilas bubble.
UAAP studs Justine Baltazar and Kobe Paras have also been linked to the draft, but as of the moment, are expected to return to DLSU and UP, respectively. – Rappler.com
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