AMA goes first in D-League Draft

Alvin Pasaol is tipped to be selected first in the PBA D-League Draft. Rick Dela Cruz (file photo)

By Dugout Philippines

MANILA--AMA Online Education will once again have the luxury of picking the best talent in the 201-man rookie pool at the 2017 PBA D-League Rookie Draft Tuesday at PBA Cafe in Metrowalk, Pasig.

Flanked by hardworking big man Andre Paras, the Mark Herrera-mentored Titans will have the chance on further fortifying their school-based core as they prepare for the upcoming 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup, which will see 13 teams vying for the title.

This will be the second time AMA will pick at first overall after tapping Jeron Teng in the 2016 draft proceedings.

[Related Story: Teng taken first, Sollano goes second in D-League Draft]

UE’s Alvin Pasaol and FEU’s Arvin Tolentino are expected to go high in the draft board as they are set to make their debut in the season opening conference. Now on its eighth season, the league officially gets going on Jan. 18, 2018.

Wangs Basketball-Letran and Batangas-EAC are set to pick second and third, respectively.

Eleven of the 13 squads participating this year will be school-based teams as they make early preparations for their respective mother leagues, namely Zark’s Burgers-Lyceum, Gamboa Coffee-St. Clare, JRU, and CEU, and debuting teams Akari-Adamson, Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian, Perpetual, and Go for Gold-CSB.

Only returning Marinerong Pilipino and newcomer Mila’s Lechon are the ones which won’t be featuring varsity crews.

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