Ex-Cesafi players to join 2017 PBA Rookie Draft
Several products of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) will be trying their luck in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft on Oct. 29 at the Robinsons Place Manila.
These are former two-time Cesafi MVP Macmac Tallo, Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas big man Raymar Jose, Joseph Nalos, Elmer Mykiel Cabahug, Jomari Sollano and Monbert Arong.
Nalos, a former Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma ace who helped the school win a title in 2012 before transferring to Adamson, said that this year is the right time to join the draft.
“I’ve been ready to join the draft before but last year, the cast was so solid so I decided to wait for a year,” Nalos said. “But I think it’s just the right time to join the draft especially since I’ve already had experience playing in the D-League. I’m not expecting much but at least I will try.”
Arong, who won the 2012 Cesafi crown with SWU alongside Nalos before getting recruited by Far Eastern University, said he didn’t mind which round he’ll be picked so long as he gets tendered a contract offer.
Like Nalos, the Olango Island native believes this is the right time for him to try his luck in joining Asia’s finest professional basketball league.
“This is the perfect time because next year, I expect a lot of big names would be joining the draft. I think I’m ready for the next level. I just really have to work hard and be consistent with it,” said the left-handed off-guard.
Sollano, on the other hand, believes he still isn’t ready for the PBA but nevertheless, will still be joining the draft.
“I really didn’t have any plans of joining the draft since I don’t think I am ready. I haven’t really proven anything in the D-League yet. But after asking for advice from my teammates, friends and coaches, I decided to join. If ever I don’t get selected, I’ll just play in the D-League to make myself better,” shared Sollano, who suited up for the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) before moving to Letran.
Cabahug once played for the University of the Visayas (UV) while Tallo was formerly with SWU-Phinma.
All 45 applicants will have to go through the Draft Combine, which will be held a week before the draft.
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
