Andre Paras drafted by Blackwater in Round 3

Andre Paras has been drafted to the PBA. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Andre Paras, arguably the most heralded player in this year's PBA Draft for reasons beyond basketball, had been selected in the third round of the proceedings on Sunday night.

The six-foot-five bruiser, the son of PBA legend Benjie, was taken 27th overall by Blackwater, the third pick in Round 3.

Following a stellar high school stint at La Salle Greenhills, Andre Paras initially went to the University of the Philippines, his dad's college alma mater, for college ball.

After an eventual one-and-done stint, he transferred to San Beda, but he never got to play for the main squad, settling for a stint in Team B.

Paras has since delved into acting and hosting, where he would become more popular of, but he still tried his luck at competitive basketball when he transferred to AMA for the PBA D-League and NAASCU.

He was even invited to join Gilas Pilipinas in practice, where some current PBA stars and coaches got to see his potential.

Meanwhile, Dhon Reverente, arguably one of the MPBL's superstars right now, led the cast of a Round 3 still oozing with upsides.

Terrafirma took the high-flying forward with the first pick of the said round, 25th overall.

On the other hand, NorthPort look Loren Brill at number 26.

NLEX selected Jun-Jun Bonsubre, a member of the so-called San Beda "Super 6" that stunned Arellano in 2013, at number 28.

Rain Or Shine, meanwhile, made sure that the Mocon Brothers will be in one team as the club took Ken Mocon, Javee's younger brother, at number 29.

Magnolia drafted RR De Leon at number 30, and Alaska took RK Ilagan at number 31.

San Miguel, which gave up its first round pick to Terrafirma, which then used it for James Laput, finally got to draft at 31st overall, taking NBL champion Allen Enriquez.

Meralco took Jay-R Yasa at number 33, Reymar Caduyac at 34, and Michael Simmonds at 35 to round out the third set of draftees.

Ginebra, seemingly satisfied with the selection of Ken Holmqvist and Brian Enriquez earlier in the draft, decided to pass.

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