Ateneo’s Isaac Go is 2019 PBA Draft top pick

MANILA, Philippines – The PBA took a couple of weeks break in support to Gilas Pilipinas who’s competing in the 30th SEA Games but the local Pro League didn’t stop from holding its annual Rookie Draft on Sunday, December 8, 2019 at Robinsons Manila.

Few days before the draft, Commissioner Willie Marcial together with the PBA Governors, decided to hold a Gilas Pilipinas special draft.

Five players from this year’s deep rookie pool have been selected ahead of the regular draft.

This year’s top pick belongs to Columbian Dyip and the team selected the 6’8” Isaac Go of the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

2019 PBA Draft Top Pick: Isaac Go
2019 PBA Draft Top Pick: Isaac Go | Credit: ABS-CBN Sports

The Ateneo big man is well-known for his outside shooting and rebounding skills. Go has been very instrumental in Ateneo’s 3-peat under Coach Tab Baldwin.

For the 2nd pick of the special draft, Blackwater Elite picked Don Don Hontiveros protege, another Cebuano shooter Rey Suerte.

NLEX Road Warriors Elite with the 3rd pick selected another Blue Eagle, point guard and legit shooter, Matt Nieto.

Another gunner was chosen in the special draft. Owning the 4th pick, Alaska opted for Allyn Bulanadi.

The last pick of the special draft, belongs to the Rain Or Shine and the Elasto Painters went for another Nieto, “Big Mike”. Matt’s twin brother who can play 2, 3 and 4 positions.

The special draftees will spend their first few years in the Gilas program in preparation for the 2023 FIBA World Cup where Philippines will be hosting the prestigious basketball tournament.

Once their services are done in the program, they will be released by the National team and only then they can play for their PBA mother teams.

Right after the Gilas Special Draft, the Regular Draft took place.

Once again, Columbian Dyip picked first and chose the 6’5” Pilipinas Mighty Sports point guard Roosevelt Adams.

For the second pick, Blackwater Elite got the tallest and oldest draft applicant in Maurice Shaw. The Fil-Am center is 37 years old and stands at 6’9”.

Coach Yeng Guiao and the NLEX Road Warriors with the 3rd pick selected combo guard Mike Ayonayon while Alaska went for 6’6” big man Barkley Ebona for the 4th pick.

Rain Or Shine Elasto painters possessed 5th, 6th and 7th picks and they chose ADMU shooter Adrian Wong, SBU lock-down defender JV Mocon and DLSU banger Prince Rivero respectively.

Northport Batang Pier used its 8th pick on the “U.P. Tormentor, Adamson Soaring Falcon’s Sean Manganti.

Magnolia opted for a big man who can back-up Marc Pingris and Ian Sanggalang. The Hotshots spent their 9th pick on 6’5” Aris Dionisio.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel got lucky with its 10th pick after adding another power forward in its roster in Arvin Tolentino from FEU.

With the 11th pick, TNT Katropa chose DLSU court general Kib Montalbo and Christian Balagasay was selected by Columbian Dyip for the 12th and final pick of the 1st round.

Below are the players picked in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th rounds:

2ND ROUND

  • Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel - Jeric Balanza
  • Blackwater Elite - Richard Escoto
  • NLEX Road Warriors - William Mcaloney
  • Alaska Aces - Ray Publico
  • Alaska Aces - Jaycee Marcelino
  • Meralco Bolts - Aaron Black
  • Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters - Vince Tolentino
  • NLEX Road Warriors - AC Soberano
  • Magnolia Pambansang Manok - Yankee Haruna
  • Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel - Kent Salado
  • Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters - Wendell Comboy
  • Northport Batang Pier - Renzo Subido

3RD ROUND

  • Columbian Dyip - Bon Batiller
  • Black Water Elite - Chris Bitoon
  • NLEX Road Warriors - Gelo Vito
  • Alaska Acces - Passed
  • Phoenix Fuel Masters - Ralph Tansingco
  • Meralco Bolts - Mike Canete
  • Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters - Luke Parcero
  • Northport Batang Pier - Chris Dumapig
  • Magnolia Pambansang Manok - Alvin Capobres
  • Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel - Fran Asuncion
  • TNT Katropa - Simon Camacho
  • San Miguel Beermen - Travis Thompson


4TH ROUND

  • Columbian Dyip - Marco Balagtas
  • Black Water Elite - Hubert Cani
  • NLEX Road Warriors - Jayvee Marcelino
  • Alaska Aces - Passed
  • Phoenix Fuel Masters - Spencer Pretta
  • Meralco Bolts - Passed
  • Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters - Passed
  • Northport Batang Pier - Dexter Zamora
  • Magnolia Pambansang Manok - Passed
  • Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel - Passed
  • TNT Katropa - Valandre Chauca
  • San Miguel Beermen - Daniel De Guzman

All in all, 67 amateur players applied for this year’s draft. Applicants who were not picked are encouraged to attend the PBA teams’ individual tryouts and qualified to join the league’s 3x3 league starting next year.

— Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express



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