Fran Yu, Kyt Jimenez among late picks as PBA Draft ends with 79 chosen

Kyt Jimenez drew a huge pop after he was finally drafted in the ninth round. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

TAGUIG--Fran Yu and Kyt Jimenez did not get chosen earlier than expected, but they still got formally drafted during the PBA Draft on Sunday night at the Market Market Activity Center.

Yu, whom some mock drafts including that of Dugout Philippines projected to be taken in the first round, fell to the fourth round with NorthPort, coached by former Letran chief tactician Bonnie Tan, drafting him.

The Batang Pier drafted Brent Paraiso with their third-round selection, which somehow surprised some since Tan once said that they were hoping that Yu would still fall to the third round to draft him due to their goals in the first two rounds.

Speaking of Round 3, Converge opted not to formally draft Jolo Mendoza, one of their players during the PBA on Tour, with its selection for the said round and chose Val Fornilos instead, leading to Meralco doing the heist by drafting Mendoza next.

Magnolia joined the draft also in the third round by taking Pat Maagdenberg, while San Miguel announced its entry in the draft by bringing in Troy Mallillin.

Archie Concepcion, the Most Valuable Player of the PBA Draft Combine, ended up as Blackwater's fourth-round pick.

On the other hand, controversial swingman John Amores was chosen as NorthPort's fifth-round pick with coach Pido Jarencio even providing laughs during the live broadcast by showing a closed fist when he announced the Amores selection, which somehow reminded the fans of his infamous moment.

Joe Gomez De Liano, the brother of Terrafirma player Javi, went to Phoenix with its sixth-round selection.

Shean Jackson, a player projected to be a shock first-round pick in some mock drafts, went to the Bolts as their own sixth-round pick.

The Beermen then chose MPBL's current quadruple-double king Kyt Jimenez in the ninth round, while the Batang Pier closed the draft proceedings by selecting Reggie Basibas in the 11th round.

TNT, which was supposed to have a third-round pick, decided not to draft any player at all in the proceedings.

In total, 79 players were drafted out of the 124 who made the final cut.

Notable names undrafted include Ryan Costelo, King Destacamento, Jaymar Gimpayan, Shane Menina, Irven Palencia, and Jimboy Pasturan.

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