Ricci Rivero falls to 2nd round in PBA Draft

Phoenix drafted Ricci Rivero with the 17th overall pick of the draft, the fifth in the second round. PBA Images
By Ivan Saldajeno

TAGUIG--Following a first round with a lot of shocking twists, Ricci Rivero found himself falling to the second round of the PBA Draft on Sunday night at the Market Market Activity Center.

Projected by many mock drafts, including that of Dugout Philippines, to make it to the first round, Rivero fell to the 17th overall pick and fifth in the second round with Phoenix taking him right after it drafted Raffy Verano with the 16th pick.

Terrafirma, which ended the first round with the shock selection of TJ Miller, began Round 2 by drafting Kemark Carino, finally giving coach John Cardel what he wanted: a big man to help Isaac Go inside the paint.

Converge followed up by drafting Bryan Santos, coach Aldin Ayo's former player at the University of Santo Tomas, before Rain Or Shine nabbed another big man in Henry Galinato with the 15th pick.

NLEX then took Enoch Valdez and Jhan Nermal with its second-round selections, while Converge took JL Delos Santos with its last second-round pick.

Blackwater then drafted James Kwekuteye, another player projected to be in the first round, while Terrafirma used its last second-round pick on Louie Sangalang.

Ginebra entered the draft by selecting Ralph Cu, a member of its 3x3 team, while ROS closed the second round by drafting Adrian Nocum.

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