PBA D-League Draft: Titans get crack at top pick

MANILA, Philippines — AMA Online Education gets another crack at the top pick as the PBA D-League holds its Rookie Draft today at the PBA Café in Metrowalk, Pasig.

UE’s Alvin Pasaol and FEU’s Arvin Tolentino are expected to go high in the draft board, which features a huge 201-player pool, all raring to showcase their wares and impress the scouts for future spots in the PBA.

Thirteen teams will slug it out for the crown in the Aspirants’ Cup, which fires off Jan. 18, 2018.

Led by Andre Paras, the Titans hope to firm up their school-based core after failing to contend following their acquisition of former La Salle star Jeron Teng in the 2016 draft.

Wangs Basketball-Letran and Batangas-EAC are set to pick second and third, respectively.

All but two of the participating teams are school-based teams as they make early preparations for their respective collegiate leagues. They are Zark’s Burgers-Lyceum, Gamboa Coffee-St. Clare, Jose Rizal U, and Centro Escolar U, and debuting teams Akari-Adamson, Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian, Perpetual Help and Go For Gold-St. Benilde.

Only returning Marinerong Pilipino and newcomer Mila’s Lechon won’t feature varsity crews.