MAGNOLIA is likely selecting at No. 5 in the PBA Season 51 Draft, giving the Hotshots a shot at picking a marquee rookie for the coming year.
Unofficial computations saw the Hotshots landing at fifth in the coming Rookie Draft after finishing seventh in the Philippine Cup, sixth in the Commissioner’s Cup, and sixth in the Governors’ Cup for a score of 6.4.
The Hotshots are right behind the top four takers NLEX (from Blackwater), Titan Ultra, Barangay Ginebra (from Terrafirma), and Phoenix Super LPG in the draft order, according to unofficial computations.
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It has been awhile since Magnolia either picked or acquired a rookie this high in the draft, with those players still playing for the Hotshots.
In the 2013 Draft, Ian Sangalang was selected at No. 2 by San Mig Coffee with the former San Sebastian center picked behind Greg Slaughter, who was selected No. 1 by Barangay Ginebra.
Then carrying the B-Meg brand, the Llamados got former Smart Gilas guard Mark Barroca in a trade before the season with Shopinas, which picked him at No. 5 in the 2011 Draft.
Barroca was the first-ever draft choice of the Clickers after purchasing the Barako Bull franchise, but was immediately dealt days after the draft in a three-team trade that also involved Barako Bull.
In that Barroca deal, Barako Bull got Don Allado, and Shopinas received Elmer Espiritu and Brian Ilad from B-Meg.
After several playoff appearances and a 2018 Governors’ Cup title, the Hotshots have never picked inside the top five, until this coming season where they will look to improve their roster with a rookie after three quarterfinal exits under head coach LA Tenorio.
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