Fil-foreigners end up as surprise picks in PBA D-League Draft

MANILA, Philippines – Fil-foreigners headed by Owen Graham and Toth stole the spotlight from the more heralded local collegiate stars Arvin Tolentino of Far Eastern University and Alvin Pasaol of University of the East in Tuesday’s PBA D-League Draft at the PBA Café in Pasig City.

Graham, a 25-year-old Fil-Canadian, emerged the as the top overall pick after he was tabbed by AMA Online Education while Toth, a 24-year-old Fil-Am, was acquired next by Marinerong Pilipino as its second pick.

While Graham was little known, AMA coach Mark Herrera compared him to no less than versatile San Miguel standout Arwind Santos.

“He’s an all-around player like Arwind Santos,” said Herrera.

Toth, for his part, suited up for US NCAA Division I school Cal Poly and should be a big addition to a team seeking to improve on its semifinal performance last conference.

“I’ve been watching him for two years now, he’s really the player we are eying for our pick,” said Marinerong Pilipino coach Koy Banal.

Pasaol, who tipped to emerge as the top pick going into the draft, went in the second-round while Tolentino in the eighth round, both drawn by the Skippers.

A total of 13 teams had actually joined the drafting rites but only AMA, Marinerong Pilipino and Mila’s Lechon got most of the top players from the 194-man draft batch since the rest were all school-based and will bring in mostly their college players.

These collegiate teams are Wang’s/Letran, Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo, Centro-Escolar U, Zarks-Lyceum of the Philippines University, Gamboa-St. Claire, Jose Rizal University, Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian, Go for Gold-St. Benilde, Perpetual Help and Akari-Adamson.

Defending champion Cignal HD, which would have brought in reigning NCAA champion San Beda, begged off next conference, which will tentatively open on January 18.

All teams are required to submit their official line ups on January 5.