TO Converge belongs the top overall pick in the coming PBA Season 49 draft, but Rain or Shine owns two first selections in the top eight - including one which it acquired following the trade of Rey Nambatac to Blackwater.
The FiberXers earned the right to the No. 1 selection after finishing with the worst record during the league’s Season 48. The franchise that bought the Alaska team two years ago registered a combined 3-19 record for the Commissioner’s and Philippine Cups.
Blackwater will then select second - and could have had another first rounder, but gave it away to the Elasto Painters as part of the Nambatac trade.
The Bossing let go of the high-scoring guard out of Letran by dealing him to TNT for the trio of Kib Montalbo, Jewel Ponferrada, and a second round choice for Season 53.
As such, Rain or Shine will get to use that pick for the No. 7 selection together with its own draft slot at eighth.
It rained, but it's future's now shining bright
Having two picks in the first round means the Elasto Painters would be able to add more zest to its young promising core that reached the semifinals for the first time in five years during the season-ending Philippine Cup.
More so, Rain or Shine is also already assured of at least one more first round pick come next year's draft as part of the Ponferrada and Henry Galinato trade with TNT last season.
In the Season 49 draft, Terrafirma selects at No. 3 behind Blackwater, followed by Phoenix, and NorthPort.
NLEX picks at No. 6, then Magnolia ninth and Barangay Ginebra 10th before Meralco and San Miguel close out the first round of drafting.
Curiously, only TNT has no pick in the first round in this year’s draft.
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