OSAKA – A pair of top first round picks in the last PBA Draft are set to sign with their respective teams this week.
Big men Kai Ballungay and Jonnel Policarpio have been scheduled for contract signing by both Phoenix and NLEX after landing at Nos. 4 and 6, respectively, in last week’s proceedings at Glorietta in Makati.
Both Ballungay and Policarpio are each set for a three-year deal.
“May kaunting inaayos na lang. But it’s a done deal na,” said Phoenix team governor Atty. Raymond Zorilla.
“We’ll be making an announcement this week. Pero bago kami (PBA Board) umalis, naayos na lahat. Team manager Virgil Villavicencio will sign him this week,” said team governor Ronald Dulatre, for NLEX's part.
Collegiate champion-rookies
Ballungay won a UAAP men’s basketball title with Ateneo in his rookie year in Season 85 then led the Blue Eagles in scoring in Season 86 before deciding to turn pro.
Meanwhile, Policarpio averaged 6.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in his first and final season with La Salle, which he helped regain the UAAP crown last year.
Ballungay and Policarpio are the latest first round picks to agree to contracts with the teams that drafted them.
No. 8 pick Felix Lemmeti of Rain or Shine was the initial first-rounder to be signed to a contract, agreeing to a three-year deal as well.
Other rookies who were inked to deals include Evan Nelle of NorthPort and Francis Escandor of the Elasto Painters. Both were both selected in the second round.
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