CSMB set to pick Standhardinger

MANILA, Philippines — Christian Standhardinger and Kiefer Ravena are the sure Top Two picks. Then it could well be Raymar Jose, Jason Perkins and Jeron Teng.

These five players are the top prospects among 44 hopefuls in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft proceedings set to start at 4 p.m. today at Robinsons Place Manila.

In acquiring Kia’s No. 1 draft selection, San Miguel Beer is now No. 1 in the draft order, and the Beermen are definitely training their sights on Standhardinger.

NLEX has long decided it would use its No. 2 draft rights on Ravena, then Blackwater may take in Jose at No. 3, Phoenix may pluck Perkins at No. 4 then Alaska may enlist Teng at No. 5.

The other potential first-round picks are Davon Potts of San Beda, Jett Manuel of UP, Rey Nambatac of Letran, John Grospe of JRU, Arvie Bringas of FEU, Lervin Flores of Arellano U, Thomas Torres of La Salle and Sidney Onwubere of EAC.

GlobalPort (from Alaska) will be No. 6 in the draft order, followed by Rain or Shine, Phoenix Petroleum (from Meralco), Star, TNT KaTropa, Barangay Ginebra and TNT KaTropa (from Phoenix acquired from San Miguel).

The draft order in the second round is NLEX, Star, Blackwater, Star, San Miguel, Alaska, Rain or Shine, Star, Phoenix, TNT, GlobalPort and Phoenix. Most of these rights in the second round were acquired from previous trade transactions.

The other draft aspirants are Gian Abrigo, Felix Apreku, Monbert Arong, Wilson Baltazar, Jebb Bulawan, Elmer Cabahug, Andreas Cahilig, Gwynee Capacio, John Casino, Gabriel Dacangon, Chris de Chavez, Jeremiah dela Peña, Ebrahim Enguio, Joseph Gabayni, Jon Jon Gabriel, Christian Geronimo, Jayson Grimaldo, Robert Herndon, Michael Juico, Dave Moralde, Joseph Nalos, Kyle Neypes, Zachary Nicholls, Jerome Ortega, Emil Palma, Roldan Sara, Julian Sargent, Jomari Sollano, John Sumido, Mark Tallo and Louie Vigil.

No trades will be allowed on draft day to give the Commissioner’s Office time to scrutinize any deal.

Various trade deals, however, are likely to be forwarded to the league commissioner days after the drafting.

Keenly pursued by various teams are Raymond Almazan and Beau Belga of Rain or Shine. Belga has already requested ROS coach Caloy Garcia that he be traded.