Fil-am top prospect Joshua Munzon was expected to top in the PBA draft, as he was picked at No.1 by Terrafirma in PBA Season 46 Rookie Draft.
“I’m super honored, super excited to be in this position. I’m ready to come in and get to work,” mentioned by the 6 foot 4 guard led a record group of aspirants selected by the 12 ballclubs in the virtual exercise that kicked off the league’s new season.
Terrafirma has found their replacement after trading their star point guard CJ Perez to San Miguel Beermen during the offseason. Followed by 2nd overall pick Jamie Malonzo is headed to Batang Pier and will be joining Sean Anthony, Robert Bolick, and newly-acquired Greg Slaughter in the coming competition.
Reigning NCAA MVP of San Beda Calvin Oftana, a versatile wing player went No. 3 with NLEX, while former G League player Mikey Williams was drafted No. 4 by the TNT Tropang Giga.
Rounding out the first-round draftees were Santi Santillan (Rain or Shine), Ben Adamos (Alaska), Larry Muyang (Phoenix), James Laput (Terrafirma, acquired from San Miguel in the Perez trade package), Alvin Pasaol (Meralco), Jerrick Ahanmisi (Magnolia), Troy Rike (NorthPort, acquired from TNT), and Ken Holmqvist (Ginebra).
Picked in Round 2 were Brian Enriquez (Ginebra), Rey Mark Acuno and Josh Torralba (Blackwater), Taylor Browne (Alaska), Franky Johnson (ROS), Nick Demusis and Aljun Melecio (Phoenix), Dave Murrell (NLEX), Alec Stockton (Alaska), Anton Asistio (ROS), Andre Caracut (ROS) and Mark Olayon (NorthPort).
A total of 65 rookies was picked in the drafting that reached the eighth round, an all-time high since the 2015 draft with 54 picks. The league is looking to hold two conferences this year if they’ll get approval from the government.
Additional report: philstar Olmin Leyba
Image Source: PBA, ESPN
