Tag: pick

With second pick, Bossing looking to bolster PG spot

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RJ Abarrientos during an open training with the Jones Cup bound Strong Group Athletics team. -SGA PHOTO

Blackwater, which recently traded Rey Nambatac to TNT, is looking to use the PBA Rookie Draft as an avenue to get someone to replace the southpaw guard.

“We are definitely looking into improving our team in the point guard position,” coach Jeff Cariaso told the Inquirer on Friday after the league officially released a list of 70 players initially qualified for the proceedings set July 14 at Glorietta in Makati City.

The Bossing will select after the Converge FiberXers, who own the top overall pick by virtue of having the lowest combined finish during the 2023-24 season that had just two conferences.

Converge had said that the process of selecting the player it feels as the one who could turn the franchise around would be a difficult one after a number of talented prospects were able to beat Thursday’s deadline.

Among the last-minute applicants was Ateneo product Kai Ballungay, joining a cast of notable draftees like Justine Baltazar, Sedrick Barefield, Dave Ildefonso, RJ Abarrientos and Caelan Tiongson.

Last Tuesday saw the Bossing deal Nambatac to the TNT Tropang Giga in exchange for Kib Montalbo, Jewel Ponferada and a future draft pick, ending a short stint for the ex-Rain or Shine mainstay who played for them only in the Philippine Cup.

Nambatac was acquired from the Elasto Painters last February.

The team’s needs

If Blackwater’s needs are asked, the prospect of having Abarrientos or Barefield—if Converge passes on either or both—is enticing. But there’s also the other thought of picking the best available talent.

“We are happy to see there are options to select from, so we’ll continue to do our homework on these guys while we look forward to the PBA combine,” said Cariaso.

The combine is set July 10 and 11 at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, a two-day event required of all draftees, barring any valid excuses.

The list is significantly lower from a field of 128 that entered the draft last year, with 79 of them getting selected.

Terrafirma selects third followed by Phoenix, NorthPort, NLEX, Rain or Shine (back-to-back picks), Magnolia, Barangay Ginebra, Meralco and San Miguel Beer.

Most of the draftees are coming from the UAAP and NCAA while 19 Fil-foreigners also placed their names in the pool.



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Under league rules, players considered Fil-foreigners only need to submit a Philippine passport to be considered eligible.

Risacher focusing on ‘good stuff,’ not pressure as top pick

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Atlanta Hawks’ Zaccharie Risacher, left, and General Manager Landry Fields, right, hold up Risacher’s jersey after an NBA basketball news conference, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Atlanta. Risacher was selected as the first overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the NBA basketball draft. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

ATLANTA — Zaccharie Risacher says he’s not worried about the expectations that accompany being the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft — even if that also includes the daunting task of following fellow French star Victor Wembanyama.

“I feel like there is no pressure,” Risacher said Friday in his introductory news conference in Atlanta. “I just focus on the good stuff, you know, on the right stuff, which is playing here. I’m just excited to be with the Hawks right now, and I want to compete and win games. So that’s all.”

Wembanyama was last year’s No. 1 overall pick by San Antonio and was a unanimous selection for NBA rookie of the year.

“If I had to give him one advice to him, it would be to just be yourself, don’t change for anything, don’t let the pressure change you, don’t let fame, money whatever,” Wembanyama said Thursday in Paris. “But I know Zacch, he’s got it.”

READ: Zaccharie Risacher second straight from France picked No. 1 in NBA draft

Risacher said he hasn’t received pointers from Wembanyama. When asked if he learned anything from watching Wembanyama’s rookie season, Risacher said his best lessons came from following Wembanyama’s exploits as a professional in France. Risacher followed that path by playing for the same French club, JL Bourg, in 2023-24.

“That was great,” Risacher said. “You know, for myself, for a younger dude like me to see just him growing so fast and, like, I guess, dominated the France championship. That’s what I wanted to do when I came to Bourg.”

The 6-foot-9 Risacher (pronounced Ree-zah-shay) became only the second overall No. 1 pick in Atlanta history, following David Thompson, who in 1975 chose to play for the ABA’s Denver Nuggets.

The pressure that goes with the No. 1 pick doesn’t just fall on Risacher, who at 19 will be expected to play a significant role immediately. General manager Landry Fields also will be scrutinized after he helped to carve out minutes for the rookie by trading AJ Griffin to Houston on Thursday. The Hawks ended up acquiring rights to guard/forward Nikola Djurisic of Serbia as part of that deal.

Risacher, who impressed the Hawks with his catch-and-shoot skills and ability to defend multiple positions, could compete with De’Andre Hunter for minutes at small forward. The rookie joins guard Trae Young and forward Jalen Johnson as the foundation for a team that hasn’t won a playoff series since advancing to the 2021 NBA Eastern Conference finals.

READ: Zaccharie Risacher chosen by Hawks with top pick in NBA draft

“I think it’s hard to project out in terms of playing minutes and all that stuff,” Fields said after making Risacher the top pick on Wednesday night. “But of course we want him to be the absolute best player he can be. How we’re defining a franchise player, I’ll leave that to you. But there’s nobody that wants to see him succeed more than us, and we’re going to absolutely set him up to do that.”

Fields followed up on that vow with the trade of Griffin, a 2022 first-round pick.

“We’re always going to look for ways to improve the team,” Fields said Friday.

Risacher’s family, including his father, six-time French all-star Stephane Risacher, attended Friday’s news conference. Stephane Risacher won a silver medal for France in the 2000 Summer Olympics and closely monitored his son’s growth as a player.

Stephane Risacher said he was smart enough to retire from backyard competitions when his son was 15.



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“That was totally unfair,” the elder Risacher said with a smile. “I knew that was it. I retired. I’m still undefeated.”

Hawks send AJ Griffin to Rockets for 2nd round pick

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FILE– AJ Griffin #14 of the Atlanta Hawks poses for portraits during media day at PC&E Atlanta on October 02, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP 

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Hawks moved back into the NBA draft on Thursday by trading forward AJ Griffin to the Houston Rockets for the No. 44 pick before trading that pick to Miami to obtain rights to guard/forward Nikola Djurisic of Serbia.

Miami acquired the draft rights to Pelle Larsson, the No. 44 pick, from Houston and obtained cash considerations from Atlanta, the Hawks announced Thursday night.

The 6-foot-7 Djurisic averaged 15.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 30 games with Mega (Serbia).

READ: Zaccharie Risacher chosen by Hawks with top pick in NBA Draft

The Hawks made French teen Zaccharie Risacher the No. 1 overall pick in the draft Wednesday night. It was Atlanta’s only pick in the draft before Thursday’s trade.

The trade of Griffin, a 2022 first-round pick, helps to clear playing time for Risacher, a wing.

Griffin was limited by injuries, including an ankle sprain, to 20 games this season. He averaged 8.9 points and 2.2 rebounds while playing in 72 games, including 12 starts, as a rookie in the 2022-23 season.



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Bronny James, LeBron’s son, taken by Lakers with 55th pick

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Southern California’s Bronny James brings the ball up the court during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Washington in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/File)

It was the dream that LeBron James first floated a few years ago, the notion of playing in the NBA alongside one of his sons.

And it’s a step closer to reality now.

Bronny James — the oldest son of the NBA’s all-time scoring leader and four-time champion — was drafted Thursday by the Los Angeles Lakers, the team that his father has played for since 2018. Bronny James was taken with the No. 55 overall pick, deep in the second round and with only three picks remaining in this year’s draft.

Adding further intrigue to the move: LeBron James can become a free agent next week, which means he could choose to leave the Lakers and sign elsewhere.

The draft move doesn’t guarantee that father and son will actually play in a game together, nor does it even guarantee that Bronny James will be on the Lakers’ roster next season. But it certainly raises the possibility that it could happen in what would be an NBA first — a father-son on-court duo in the league simultaneously as players. There have been about 100 instances in NBA history of players joining the league after their fathers played, but those always came at least five years after the father’s career ended.

But LeBron James’ incredible longevity — he’ll match Vince Carter for the longest career as an NBA player ever this coming season, which will be his 22nd in the league — makes the father-son duo possible.

“With the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select Bronny James from the University of Southern California,” NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said in announcing the pick, making the moment official for the 19-year-old, who was born just before the start of his father’s second NBA season.

Bronny James is a guard, one who was listed at 6-foot-4 on Southern California’s roster but measured at 6 feet, 1 1/2 inches at the draft combine. That would make him one of the shortest players in the NBA, but his athleticism and defensive ability helped give him this opportunity.

He played one year of college basketball at USC and averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game last season. He played in 25 games, missing the start of the season after needing a procedure last year to fix what was diagnosed as a congenital heart defect, which was found after he went into cardiac arrest during a summer workout.

A panel of doctors cleared Bronny James for NBA play last month.

Day 2 of the draft saw 24 other players get taken before Bronny James, though none of them — not even close, really — got the attention that the No. 55 selection received, for obvious reasons.

The 55th pick rarely turns out to be a player who captures a slew of attention. The best 55th pick in NBA history would be current Miami Heat guard Patty Mills, selected in 2009 and someone who has scored 7,893 points in his 15-season career.

Some other notable No. 55 picks include Marc Iavaroni, Mark Blount, Kenny Gattison and E’Twaun Moore. There’s never been a No. 55 pick that was an NBA All-Star, an All-NBA player, an All-Rookie team player or an All-Defensive team pick.



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Last season’s No. 55 pick, Isaiah Wong, scored exactly two points for Indiana as a rookie. Add up every No. 55 pick ever, and their NBA career scoring total is 28,364 points — more than 12,000 points less than LeBron James has scored in his career.

Lakers add Dalton Knecht, Pacific teams pick veteran players

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PHOENIX — The NBA’s Pacific Division wasn’t the destination for 18-year-old phenoms during the draft’s first round on Wednesday night.

Instead, these teams sought grown men who could hopefully help right away.

The Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns picked in the mid-to-late first round and were on the hunt for veteran college players who could be rotation players during a potentially deep playoff run next spring.

The Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors didn’t have a selection in Wednesday’s first round.

READ: Teams keep trading light on opening night of 2-day NBA Draft

The Kings used the No. 13 selection to select Providence’s Devin Carter, a 22-year-old who averaged nearly 20 points per game during his final college season. The 6-foot-2 guard is considered a good defender, too, and could mesh well with the team’s other guards, including De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk.

The Lakers went for scoring with the No. 17 pick, adding Tennessee’s 23-year-old Dalton Knecht. The 6-foot-5 guard was one of the college game’s elite scorers last season, averaging nearly 22 points per game.

The Suns did some maneuvering on Wednesday night, trading the No. 22 selection to the Nuggets for the No. 28 pick, No. 56 pick and two more future second-round selections. Phoenix took Virginia wing Ryan Dunn at No. 28, giving the team a defensive standout to play with the team’s star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.

READ: Lakers coach JJ Redick still hopes to create great content with LeBron

Phoenix was the subject of rampant trade rumors prior to the first round — particularly regarding Durant. The chatter grew so loud that second-year owner Mat Ishbia felt the need to squash that speculation on social media on Wednesday.

“Phoenix loves Kevin Durant and Kevin Durant loves Phoenix, and we are competing for a championship this year because we have the team to do it,” he said.

Golden State Warriors

Team need(s): The Warriors have the No. 52 selection in the second round on Thursday. In his second draft in charge as general manager, Mike Dunleavy is hoping to find an impact player like Trayce Jackson-Davis, who was the No. 57 selection last season. He turned into a key cog off the bench during his rookie year, averaging 7.9 points and 5.0 rebounds.

Who did the team draft: No one in the first round.

Los Angeles Clippers

Team need(s): The Clippers are a team that could be in flux with stars Paul George and James Harden set to hit free agency. Any sort of infusion of young talent would be nice for an older roster, but their lone pick is at No. 46 in the second round.

Who did the team draft: No one in the first round. The Clippers didn’t have a first-round pick because they traded it to the Oklahoma City Thunder along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in exchange for George in 2019. It’s one of several picks they dealt for George to pair him with Kawhi Leonard in the hopes of winning the franchise’s first NBA championship. That hasn’t happened.

Los Angeles Lakers

Dalton Knecht poses for photos on the red carpet before the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Team need(s): A player who can contribute now as the Lakers attempt to make the most of their remaining partnership between LeBron James and Anthony Davis, particularly after they apparently whiffed last year on slow-developing guard Jalen Hood-Schifino. LA could use perimeter scoring and spot-up shooting, and it could also do with more size to help Davis.

Who did the team draft: Knecht. The SEC Player of the Year is a prolific scorer who grew into stardom during a winding journey that began with no Division I scholarship offers and ended with three increasingly impressive seasons with Northern Colorado and then Tennessee.

READ: Lakers’ LeBron James is redefining NBA longevity in 21st season

Whose game does the first-round draft pick most compare to and why: Knecht was a near-consensus projected lottery pick whose outside shooting and overall style inspired parallels to everyone from Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. to Jerami Grant and Terrence Ross.

Phoenix Suns

Ryan Dunn Golden State Warriors NBA Draft

Ryan Dunn, right, poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected 28th by the Denver Nuggets during the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Team need(s): The Suns could use a point guard after struggling with turnovers last season, particularly in the fourth quarter. They also could use perimeter defense and a backup big man.

Who did the team draft: After moving down six spots in the trade with Denver, the Suns took Dunn at No. 28. The 21-year-old is considered maybe the best defensive player in the draft, which is something the Suns needed.

Whose game does the first-round draft pick most compare to and why: Dunn could be a player in the mold of New Orleans wing Herb Jones, who made the All-Defensive team last season in his third year in the league. Jones was the No. 35 selection in the 2021 draft.

Sacramento Kings

Team need(s): The Kings answered their biggest looming question ahead of the draft by resigning Monk to a four-year contract. Sacramento could use more size and athleticism and help on the wing to complement Harrison Barnes, who turned 32 in May. Keegan Murray and Trey Lyles — their other wings — are more spot-up shooters.

Who did the team draft: Carter should help plug some of their concerns. He averaged nearly 20 points per game last year and was billed as one of the best two-way players in the draft. He is an elite rebounder for his size, grabbing 8.7 boards per game as a smaller guard. He also improved from beyond-the-arc in each of his three collegiate seasons, shooting it at 37.7% from distance last year.



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Whose game does the first-round draft pick most compare to and why: Carter’s prowess on both ends of the floor could fit the mold of the Boston Celtics’ Jrue Holiday, one of the premier two-way players in the NBA. Carter is versatile, contributes in nearly every facet of the game and could improve offensively if his college numbers project to the pro level.

France’s Risacher chosen by Hawks with top pick in NBA Draft

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National Basketball Association Commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with French basketball player Zaccharie Risacher (R) during Round One of the 78th edition of the NBA’s annual draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, on June 26, 2024. Risacher was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the first overall pick in Wednesday’s opening round of the NBA Draft. (AFP)

 

NEW YORK – France’s Zaccharie Risacher was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the first overall pick in Wednesday’s opening round of the NBA Draft.

The 19-year-old forward, who stands 6-foot-9 (2.06m), was the second Frenchman in a row to be chosen number one after Victor Wembanyama was taken by the San Antonio Spurs with the top pick last year.

“It’s a blessing, you know,” Risacher said. “So exciting. There are a lot of feelings and emotions right now. I don’t know what to say but it’s definitely special.

“For three years, what I have been through, and my family is here — I’m so happy. This is amazing.”

Risacher helped spark JL Bourg to this year’s EuroCup final, which was won by Paris Basketball.

He became the second-youngest player to be named the EuroCup Rising Star and last month was named the French league’s 2023-24 Best Young Player after averaging 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 22 minutes a game for JL Bourg.

Another Frenchman, 19-year-old 7-foot (2.13m) center Alexandre Sarr, was selected second overall by the Washington Wizards.

Sarr played last season for the Perth Wildcats of Australia’s National Basketball League.

After two seasons with Real Madrid’s youth team, Sarr moved to the United States for two seasons and then spent the 2023-24 campaign with Perth, averaging 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 17 minutes a game.

“Everywhere I played it just built me for this moment,” Sarr said. “It’s so special.”Sarr’s 25-year-old brother Olivier is a center with the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.

“He shared a lot with me. Everything I’ve learned is through him,” Sarr said. “He gave me all his knowledge. It’s truly special to have someone like him in my corner.”

It marks only the third time in NBA history that the top two picks in the draft have not had US college experience.

The sky is the limit for talented French rookies after “Wemby” went on to be named the NBA Rookie of the Year and led the league in blocked shots last season.

The Hawks finished 10th in the Eastern Conference last season at 36-46 and lost to Chicago in a play-in game.

Washington had the second-worst record in the NBA last season at 15-67.

Houston, with the third selection, took University of Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard, whose parents were both standouts for the same school, his father a US national college champion.

“I’m super excited. This is awesome. Unbelievable,” Sheppard said. “I’m super thankful.”

Sheppard, who turned 20 on Monday, averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals a game. Led US college players with 52.1% shooting from 3-point range

Castle joins ‘Wemby’

With the fourth pick, San Antonio selected 19-year-old guard Stephon Castle of US national college champion Connecticut. He had 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists a game for the Huskies last season.

“I learned how to win so I’m coming in with that mindset,” Sheppard said. “To have a teammate like (Wembanyama) next to you, I feel like it opens up the floor so much for you to go and expand your game. I can’t wait to get out there.”

Bronny James, the son of LeBron James, was seen as a possible selection but more likely to go in the second round, which will be conducted on Thursday.

James, a 19-year-old guard for Southern California, averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists in 25 games last season.



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Los Angeles Lakers 39-year-old superstar LeBron James, a four-time NBA champion, has said he would like to play alongside his son next season.

Gorayab relishes ‘good options’ for Capital1’s No. 2 pick

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Capital1 Solar Spikers Roger Gorayeb during the PVL Rookie Draft combine. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Capital1 coach Roger Gorayab is happy to have a number of “good options” with the Solar Spikers holding the No. 2 pick in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft set for July 8.

Gorayeb knows exactly what he is looking for in a player who could potentially change the fate of the Solar Spikers, who joined the PVL just earlier in the year.

“Of course, I’m happy because I have good options. I’m thankful we got lucky with the second pick.” said Gorayeb, who attended the final day of the combine on Wednesday at GameVille Ball Park. “

LIST: Applicants for the first ever PVL Rookie Draft

“I’m looking at the height, the one who could fit into my system, the one I think can adjust easily, that’s what’s good.

With Thea Gagate emerging as the presumptive No.1 pick of ZUS Coffee, Gorayeb has two players in mind for the second pick but he didn’t disclose them to avoid preempting the draft he has high hopes for the aspirant, who will be part of his team.

“We have [target player], but we need to discuss first. I will study which one will benefit us more. It’s a secret for now.,” he said.  “I see a big help this player can give us, and I will train her well. I already have someone in mind.”

Gorayeb is also eyeing to add more players to their young roster in the succeeding rounds, looking to add a middle blocker and a libero. 

READ: PVL: Set for No. 2 pick, Capital1 also parades Russian spiker

“We’re focusing now on the second round. What should we pick, a middle or a libero? We’re a bit short in that area. The middle position is very important,” the veteran coach said.

“We need an immediate threat in the middle so our outside hitters can have space. Without a threat in the middle and just focusing on outside sets, our attackers will be blocked often.”

Even before the PVL Draft, Gorayeb signed Shola Alvarez and Julia Ipac from Galeries as well as veteran setter Iris Tolenada as they look to rise from a 1-10 record in the All-Filipino Conference.

“Shola is a big factor, especially since I’m used to her from when she was my player before. She’s comfortable with me, and Jorelle, her former teammates, are still there. Shola is a huge asset offensively. Even defensively, she’s solid. Our team’s composition is really coming together nicely,” the Capital1 coach said.

“I really expect us to elevate our game by two to three levels.”

Gorayeb is also pleased with Russian import Marina Tushova’s connection to her teammates, especially to setter Tolenada.

“Marina easily jelled with us because she’s almost the same age as the younger players. Our bond with her became really good. She also blends well with the players like a local. She’s not picky,” he said.



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“She fits in perfectly because Iris [Tolenada] is a huge asset. Her leadership and experience bring a lot to the team.”

Set for No. 2 pick, Capital1 also parades Russian spiker

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Capital1 Solar Spikers Mandy Romero during the first ever PVL Draft Lottery. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines —Capital1 will be parading its upcoming draft pick along with Russian outside spiker Marina Tushova as its foreign guest player in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference in July.

The Solar Spikers are set to pick second in the first-ever PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 and they will be complementing the new incoming talent with a “young” import who has experience in playing professionally in Russia, France and Switzerland.

“We’re proud to have signed Ms. Marina Tushova who’s an incredibly young and talented player from Russia. She has already arrived in the Philippines and so far, she’s been experiencing Filipino hospitality and warmth,” Capital1 team owner Mandy Romero told the reporters on Monday during Rookie Draft Lottery at TV5 Media Center.

READ: ZUS Coffee gets top pick for inaugural PVL Rookie Draft

“She has the Filipino fighting spirit that we’re all looking for that we hope could excite fans,” Romero said.

Filipino-American setter Iris Tolenada, who played in South Korea last year, has also signed on with Capital1 according to Romero.

Tolenada and Tushova will boost the rebuilding roster with Jorelle Singh, Patty Orendain, Des Clemente, Jannine Navarro, and Heather Guino-o

In their debut conference, the Solar Spikers only won one out of their 11 games, landing a 30 percent chance in the lottery.

READ: PVL: Gorayeb wants Capital1 to seize on newfound chance

“Our management and myself, we already have a list of players that are top of mind. We can’t reveal what we’re thinking about and what we’re looking for, but really someone to balance our team and to bring the heat, bring that starpower to our team,” said Romero.

“We’re happy to get to know our fans too and to know what the fans are thinking of on who we should pick,” she added.

With their experience from the All-Filipino and longer preparation, Romero is more confident of their team in the Reinforced Conference with also

“We put up a team in less than a month. I don’t know how many times that’s been done before but really, it’s a challenge. It was also an adventure that we were ready for,” said the Capital1 owner.

“Lots of new learnings from that initial run that we had and the year is just getting started. We still have two more conferences for this season and we’re really looking forward to what more we can offer.”

“I’m very confident in our management also, Coach Roger’s ability to shape young players and bring out the best skills that they have,” he added.



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Capital1 will pick second after ZUS Coffee in the Rookie Draft on July 8 at Novotel.

ZUS Coffee gets top pick for inaugural PVL Rookie Draft

On: By: admin


The last three PVL MVPs, Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz, Sisi Rondina of Choco Mucho, and Ces Molina of Cignal, will draw the draft pick order for ZUS Coffee, Capital1, Galeries Tower, and Farm Fresh.

MANILA, Philippines — The odds were in ZUS Coffee’s favor as it secured the first overall pick of the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 at Novotel in Quezon City.

With a 40 percent chance of getting the top pick, the Thunderbelles were drawn by reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz as the No.1 overall pick in the lottery on Monday evening at TV5 Media Center.

ZUS Coffee, formerly Strong Group Athletics, lost all its 11 games in its debut in the All-Filipino Conference.

LIST: Applicants for the first ever PVL Rookie Draft

The next three picks were being drawn as of posting time in the league’s first-ever lottery, supervised by Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo and the Games and Amusement Board.

ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee will have the luxury of selecting the top prospect of the 47 Rookie Aspirants to build on his roster bannered by NCAA ‘three-peat’ champion College of Saint Benilde players Cloanne Mondoñedo, Gayle Pascual, Jade Gentapa, and Michelle Gamit.

“We’re very happy for ZUS Coffee because we were the first pick so we have a bigger chance or better chance kung sino yung pipiliin namin kasi since kami yung first, mas makakapili kami kung sino talaga yung best for the team,” said Farm Fresh assistant coach Justine Dorog, who spoke for sister team ZUS Coffee. “I hope na yung first pick namin, makatulong talaga siya sa team.”

Capital1, represented by tea, onwer Mandy Romero, earned the second overall pick as drawn by Choco Mucho star Sisi Rondina after having a 30 percent chance in the lottery.

The Solar Spikers, under veteran coach Roger Gorayeb, finished with one win in their debut.

Drawn by reigning Invitational Conference MVP Ces Molina of Cignal, the Galeries Tower(20% chance) and Farm Fresh (10%), who both finished with identical 3-8 records in the All-Filipino, will pick third and fourth, respectively.

READ: PVL draft quality takes hit but quantity is promising

Nxled holds the fifth pick, followed by Akari, Cignal, PLDT, Chery Tiggo, Petro Gazz, runner-up Choco Mucho, and All-Filipino Conference champion Creamline.

The 47 aspirants along with free agents will see action in a two-day combine on Tuesday and Wednesday at GameVille Ballpark in Sheridan, Mandaluyong.

Alas Pilipinas players Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel, fellow La Salle Lady Spikers Maicah Larroza and Leila Cruz applied for the draft, along with Adamson Lady Falcons AA Adolfo, Lucille Almonte, Nikka Yandoc, Angge Alcantara, Karen Verdeflor, and Sharya Ancheta.

Ateneo libero Roma Mae Doromal and Santo Tomas’ Pierre Abellana also threw their names in the pool with University of the Philippines’ Abi Goc, Jewel Encarnacion, and Stephanie Bustrillo. University of the East has three aspirants Dara Nieva (opposite spiker) and liberos Jenina Zeta and Dea Villamor.

NCAA players are also joining with Letran’s Daisy Melendres and Bay Anne de Leon; Arellano’s Dodee Batindaan, Robbie Mae Matawaran, Lorraine Pecana, Donnalyn Paralejas, and Charmina Dino; EAC’s Catherine Almanzan; Lyceum’s Camille Belaro; San Beda’s Maxinne Tayag and Lalaine Arizapa; San Sebastian’s Jewelle Bermillo; and Perpetual Help’s Razel Aldea and Sandra Dayao.



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The draft will also feature Filipinos born and/or raised abroad like Aleiah Torres of Brock University and Nathalie Ramacula of Red River College Polytechnic as well as other players nationwide, Lovely Zapf and Lian Macasiray from DLSU-Dasmarinas, Andrea Jardio of Lyceum-Alabang, Jamie Solina from Marinduque State, Danya Casino of Trinity, and Danivah Aying from USJ-R.

Training pool players from NU, CJ Evangelista, La Salle’s Caroline Santos, Ysabela Bakabak, and Giliana Torres, former UST Tigress Mary Grace Vernaiz, and former UE Lady Warrior Remcel Santos also entered the draft.

The second round will be based on their All-Filipino records having the same order as the first round since lottery teams landed on their respective spots.

Hawks GM taking trade calls but plans to keep top pick

On: By: admin


FILE – Atlanta Hawks general manager Landry Fields poses for photos after NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum announced that the Hawks had won the first pick in the NBA draft, during the draft lottery in Chicago, Sunday, May 12, 2024. Landry Fields says he’s liking his options for the potential top picks in the NBA draft more and more — and he insists he’s not planning on trading the pick, even though his phone lines remain open. “I think we’re really excited by the draft,” Fields said Monday, June 17, 2024, as he continued to prepare for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft on June 26. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

ATLANTA — Atlanta Hawks general manager Landry Fields says he likes his options for the potential top picks in the NBA draft — and he insists he’s not planning on trading the No. 1 pick, even though his phone lines remain open.

“I think we’re really excited by the draft,” Fields said Monday as he continued to prepare for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft on June 26. “And the more that we uncover, like we go, great, I’m glad we have No. 1. I keep joking around like I’m not giving it back. So, I think we’re in a really good position here. I’m excited about it, frankly.”

The Hawks were the surprise winner of the NBA draft lottery on May 12. Atlanta won the No. 1 draft pick despite just 3% odds after finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference at 36-46.

Fields says his initial enthusiasm about landing the top pick has not been diminished as he and his staff have examined options such as two French stars, Alexandre Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher, Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard and UConn center Donovan Clingan.

Even so, Fields acknowledged the task of determining which prospect should be No. 1 is an ongoing process. He said he, not team owner Tony Ressler, will make the draft choice.

READ: Hawks win NBA lottery in draft with no clear No. 1 pick

The decision on keeping the No. 1 pick could be affected by the fact the Hawks have no other selections in the draft. The roster may need help from more than one draft pick after the team lost to Chicago in the first round of the play-in tournament.

Fields said he and his staff are assembling tiers of draft prospects. When asked if a trade down for more picks would be wise if he sees no prospect clearly ranking above all others, Fields said, “Eventually you’ll narrow down to your guy, for sure.”

Fields said the pool of possible top picks on the Hawks’ draft board continues to shrink.

“I would say a week ago it was wider than it is now,” he said. “The board is definitely shaping up, tearing itself out.”

Fields said he’s looking for a player “to be No. 1 and just the guy that we see is a great fit for us, not just for the next day, but for the future as well.”

READ: Wembanyama’s selection by Spurs produces NBA draft record ratings

Aside from a slight break on Sunday for Father’s Day, Fields has stayed busy on the phone, taking and receiving calls from other executives.

“For the most part, it continuously rings,” he said.

The Hawks have been frustrated by the inability to revive a franchise that has not won a playoff series since advancing to the 2021 Eastern Conference finals despite scoring leadership from guards Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. The Hawks kept Murray at the trade deadline in February when there was much speculation he might be dealt for draft picks.

Decisions about the future of center Clint Capela and forward De’Andre Hunter also may be looming this offseason. But the first priority is making a decision on the No. 1 pick.



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“We as a group looked at a ton of different scenarios,” Fields said. “Like if you keep the pick, you try to get back into the draft. … With where we are right now, we’ll pick one. … We’re planning on picking one.”