86 players make final PBA Draft list

Jamie Malonzo is among the headliners of this year's PBA Draft. Dennis Acosta (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--From 97 down to 86.

What is tagged as one of the deepest PBA Draft classes ever was trimmed down a bit as the league confirmed on Monday that 11 applicants were pulled out of the final list.

Seven Filipino-American players did not make the final cut after missing the Friday deadline to submit the necessary documents affirming their Filipino lineage.

Headlining the list are former Alab Pilipinas players Jason Brickman, Brandon Rosser, and Jeremiah Gray, former Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 star Taylor Statham, and former Adamson and La Salle player Tyrus Hill.

The five players are projected to be selected within the first two regular rounds based on early mock drafts.

John Paul Gulfo and Christopher Cancio also failed to submit the needed papers.

On the other hand, JJ Espanola, John Paul Zarco, Ezra Ocampo, and Neiloween De Jesus have backed out from the March 14 draft.

Despite the subtraction, the draft class remains loaded with the likes of Joshua Munzon, Jamie Malonzo, and Alvin Pasaol leading the way in the regular rounds.

Also to watch out are the four players placed to the special Gilas Pilipinas round, Jordan Heading, Tzaddy Rangel, Will Navarro, and Jaydee Tungcab.

The full list can be seen below.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno