Cainglet, Claro, Castillo go 1-2-3 in WNBL Draft

Fille Claudine Cainglet watches the WNBL Draft while performing a surgery. WNBL

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Glutagence pulled off a major coup in the WNBL Draft by taking former UAAP star guards Fille Claudine Cainglet, Camille Claro, and Khate Castillo as the first three picks of the draft proceedings on Saturday night.

Owning the top three selections, the Glow Boosters wasted no time in drafting Cainglet, who starred for University of the Philippines during the late 2000's, Claro, and Castillo, who were La Salle's "Splash Sisters" last decade.

Cainglet's selection, however, was made more special by the fact that she, now a doctor at UERM, was witnessing the draft as it happened inside the said hospital's operating room.

"Thank you WNBL! Literal nagtatahi ako dito sa OR habang umiiyak," said the 32-year-old Cainglet, the older sister of former college and pro volleyball star Fille Saint Merced.

Quezon, another WNBL newcomer, drafted former University of the East player Dianne Ventura with the fourth overall pick and former Adamson standout Kat Araja at number five.

Pacific Water, the third incoming club this WNBL season, chose former La Salle and national team player Snow Penaranda with the sixth overall pick, while Glutagence capped the fourth round by taking former Far Eastern University center Camille Sambile seventh overall.

Paranaque, one of only two holdovers from last season, went for veteran smarts with its first draft pick by taking 33-year-old Angeli Gloriani as the third selection in the fifth round, 10th overall.

Vanessa Santos, who was the Lady Aces' team captain last season but was left out in their so-called protect list, still found her way back to the said club as they took her with the last pick in the eighth round or the 23rd overall pick.

Meanwhile, celebrity baller Nicole De Los Reyes and Southeast Asian Games double gold medalist Clare Castro lead the cast of players who are directly recruited by the four aforementioned teams through the protect list.

De Los Reyes, who played for the Cleon and Clyde Lady Snipers last season, was placed in Glutagence's protect list along with Micah Figuracion and Julie Gula.

Castro, on the other hand, will headline Paranaque as one of its seven protected players.

Joining her are fellow former FEU stars Allana Lim and April Siat alongside Kris Tolentino, Mardyn Tingcang, Carmina Reyes, and Jamie Alcoy.

Pacific Water protected former Lady Tamaraws Precious Arellado and Valerie Mamaril, former Ateneo Lady Eagles Jollina Go and Pam Payac, Adeline Sebastian, and Girly Villaflores.

Quezon then used its protect privilege in Phaula Nadres, Wami Taroja, Krystine Duran, Evita Naynes, and Chicky Faroan.

Through the protect list, the teams have a chance to directly take in players from last season.

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