Gilas bets react to reported "early" special draft

Mac Belo was reportedly chosen by Blackwater in the Gilas draft.

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY--The PBA Draft might be taking place on Sunday, but reports surfaced that the 12 member clubs have begun their participation in the special draft dedicated to the Gilas 5.0 players.

According to the said reports, nine of the 12 teams already made their Gilas picks using the final order for the first round of the regular draft with Mac Belo being chosen first by Blackwater, which, once made formal on Sunday, is already expected as per Coach Leo Isaac's statement on Thursday.

[Related Story: Isaac to consult Blackwater top guys regarding Pick 1 of regular draft, locks in with Belo as top pick of Gilas draft]

"Nagulat ako pero OK lang," Belo said to some sportswriters during the Slam Draft Suite at the Impressions Restaurant inside Resorts World Manila about his reaction to the reports.

Although already "spoiled", Belo insisted he is still excited to have his name formally announced as the Elite's Gilas pick.

"Andun pa rin ang excitement kasi iba din yung experience na tawagin ka sa stage," he continued.

On the other hand, RR Pogoy said that he was also surprised the reports surfaced while also baring that the other Gilas players had the same reaction, but like his fellow ex-FEU Tamaraw Belo, he is also fine with it.

"Nagulat kami kasi akala namin sa Sunday pa ang pilian, pero sabi nila nakapili na, pero OK lang naman," Pogoy, who as per a latest report from Spin.PH's Gerry Ramos is Meralco-bound, said in particular.

Meanwhile, Matt Wright, who was reportedly chosen second by Phoenix, is not thinking about the reports and said that he will just wait on Sunday at the Robinson's Place Manila Atrium during the draft proper.

"I can't say anything about [the reports] until Sunday. I don't wanna jinx it right now," he said.

Each franchise's pick will be announced in the PBA Draft proper, and it will be done in alphabetical order with Alaska naming its Gilas player first. Alaska is one of the three clubs which reportedly have yet to decide on their selections.

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