UP, AdU stalwarts lead D-League draftees; AMA Titans pick ABL star

MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines’ Juan Gomez de Liano and Adamson’s Sean Manganti banner more than a hundred aspirants looking to get the nod in the annual PBA D-League Draft slated tomorrow at the PBA Office in Libis.

Playmaker Gomez de Liano and forward Manganti, recipients of individual awards this UAAP season, join 151 others who are gunning to crack the lineup of the record 20 teams set to see action in the tourney unfolding on Feb. 14.

Also raring to earn a spot is Fil-American Joshua Munzon, who made a mark with the Saigon Heat and the Malaysia Dragons in the ASEAN Basketball League.

Other hopefuls are Kib Montalbo and Santi Santillan of La Salle, Ateneo’s Anton Asistio and Dan Wong, Far Eastern University’s Jasper Parker, National University’s Troy Rike, San Beda’s AC Soberano and Clint Doliguez, Arellano’s Ian Alban, Jose Rizal U’s Jed Mendoza, Mapua’s Warren Bonifacio, Centro Escolar University’s Orlan Wamar and CESAFI MVP Rey Suerte of University of the Visayas.

Last season’s cellar-dweller AMA Online Education will pick first, looking to rise from the depths and bolster its bid in the 20-team field, 15 of which are school-based.

AMA head coach Mark Herrera announced Munzon would be their first round draft pick.AMA Online Education is the only school-based team that is not fielding foreign players. The AMA Titans are supported by AMA chairman Amable R. Aguiluz and president Amable C Aguiluz IX.

Go for Gold-CSB, Foundation Cup titleholder, UAAP champion Ateneo and NCAA titlist San Beda loom as the teams to bea though they will be tested against NAASCU champion St. Clare, UAAP squads Far Eastern U, UST and National U, NCAA teams Perpetual Help, Letran and San Sebastian, league pioneer CEU, last season’s back-to-back runner-up Che’Lu Bar & Grill, holdovers Marinerong Pilipino, Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo College, AMA and returnee Wangs Basketball.

Newcomers Diliman College, Phoenix-Enderun, Trinity College, and McDavid  are also out to make an impression.