Malonzo leads PBA D-League aspirants

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 137 aspirants, including 17 Fil-Foreigners, try to inch closer to their pro-league dreams when they enter the 2020 PBA D-League Draft today at the league office in Libis, Quezon City. 

La Salle’s Jamie Malonzo is anticipated to top this year’s proceedings coming off an impressive stint with the Green Archers in the UAAP last season where he normed 14.6 points and 9.2 rebounds to make it into the Mythical Team.

For the fourth straight year, AMA is picking first after tapping Jeron Teng, Owen Graham and Joshua Munzon the past three years.

Foundation Cup second-placer Marinerong Pilipino and Aspirants’ Cup runner-up CEU are selecting second and third, respectively, as the school-based teams are poised to parade their intact roster this year. 

Known UP defender and Gilas Pilipinas FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers pool member Jaydee Tungcab is also expected to go high in the draft with other collegiate standouts Jollo Go of La Salle, Jerie Pingoy of Adamson, UE’s John Apacible and CEU’s Judel Fuentes  and Cebuano stalwarts Jaybie Mantilla and Darrell Menina. 

Also in the fray are Fil-Foreign applicants James Spencer, JJ Espanola, David Murrel from UP and ex-La Salle player Joshua Torralba. 

Debuting EcoOil – DLSU and Mapua, returning TIP, Enderun Colleges, Diliman College, San Sebastian, FEU, UAAP runner-up Santo Tomas and NCAA champion Letran are the school-based teams vying for the D-League first conference Aspirants’ Cup.