Five Cebuanos picked in draft

CEBU, Philippines — Five Cebuanos were selected by different teams during the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft yesterday at the Robinson’s Place in Manila.

Mark Jayven Tallo, a two-time Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) MVP, was a surprised pick by the TNT KaTropa as the 10th overall.

Before deciding to join the annual draft, the 5-foot-10 Tallo suited for the Racal Tile Master to play in the PBA Developmental League.

Tallo will also be joined by Monbert Arong, also a Southwestern  University-Phinma Cobras alumni before transferring to Far Eastern University.

Arong was chosen by TNT as the 10th pick in the second round.

Before Arong, Jomari Sollano, who once played for the University of Southern Philippines Foundation, was selected by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters as the seventh pick in the second round.

Also entering the PBA as a rookie is former University of the Visayas Green Lancer Elmer Mykiel Cabahug, son of former UV coach and PBA legend Elmer Cabahug.

Cabahug who also went to the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles landed at the two-time Governors’ Cup champion Barangay Ginebra Kings as its 12th pick in the third round.

Another former Cobra Joseph Nalos Jr. was the final Cebuano who became an official PBA rookie as he was chosen by the San Miguel Beermen as the 11th pick in the fourth round. (FREEMAN)