CAGAYAN Valley is pleased with the selections it made in the rookie draft, having picked athletic Fil-Tongan Moala Tautuaa and a host of promising young talent which the Rising Suns hope could lead the team back to the PBA D-League finals.
Tautuaa is a 6-foot-7 big man currently plays for the Westports Malaysia Dragons in the Asean Basketball League. The Rising Suns are confident his presence along has turned the team into title contenders.
Bonleon also revealed Arnold Van Opstal and Norbert Torres of La Salle are also worthy top picks.
“Kung wala siya, kay (Arnold) Van Opstal at (Norbert) Torres kami pero siyempre doon kami kay Tautuaa,” said Bonleon, adding that they are also glad with their selections in Jonathan Grey, Edzel Mag-isa, Mark Olayon, Ivan Hernandez, and Gwyne Capacio.
The Rising Suns selected until the 11th round where they also got John Nepomuceno, Dhon Reverente, Aldrei Blanco, Aldinar Yusop, and Jumabon Bulac.
“Ang kulang sa amin ’yung slasher kaya pinili namin si Jonathan Grey. Nakita rin namin na kailangan namin ng 4 and 5 na suporta kay Tautuaa,” said Bonleon.