Manny Pacquiao (INQUIRER PHOTO)
It has a shallow draft pool but could be the most interesting one.
A total of 87 hopefuls try their luck in today’s 2014 PBA Rookie Draft, which will be held at the Robinson’s Place Manila.
This year’s draft drew a lot of interest following the inclusion of eight-division world champion and Sarangani representative Manny Pacquiao.
Kia is hoping that no one would pick Pacquiao ahead of its turn as the boxing hero has already been named as the team’s head coach.
Since other teams are not prohibited from picking Pacquiao, other squads could choose Pacquiao then trade him to Kia in exchange for the squad’s marquee player or the team’s pick for next year which is predicted to have a very talented pool.
Since Kia will definitely pick him up, Pacquaio will become the first dual athlete, the oldest rookie pick, and the first-ever rookie-head coach in PBA history.
The pool is also loaded with guards with the five-foot-11 Stanley Pringle expected to be tabbed as the number one overall pick by the GlobalPort Batang Pier.
Next to pick after GlobalPort is Rain or Shine followed by Barako Bull, NLEX (formerly Air21), Alaska, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, San Mig Coffee, Barako Bull Energy, Rain or Shine, Barako Bull Energy, Kia Motors and Blackwater.
Another Pacquiao is also expected to get picked as former Southwestern University stalwart Rene Pacquiao could go to Kia to play alongside with his cousin, Manny.
Also in the draft is Cebuano stocky guard Quinton Heruela, who has been eyed by at least three teams.