A total of 128 aspirants, the highest ever in the league's history, have applied in the upcoming PBA Draft for Season 48 slated this Sunday, September 17, at the Market! Market! in Taguig City.
The huge number of applicants eclipsed the previous mark of 97 for the Season 46 draft. The 31 Filipino-foreign applicants also went to an all-time high.
Among the notable names aspiring to play in Asia's oldest league are former NCAA stars like Fran Yu, James Kwekuteye, and John Amores.
Other NCAA players who join the application include Arellano's Shane Menina and Cade Flores; Benilde's JC Cullar and Jimboy Pasturan; Letran's King Caralipio, Tommy Olivario, Brent Paraiso, and Louie Sangalang; JRU's JL Delos Santos; LPU's Omar Larupay, Enzo Navarro, and Enoch Valdez; Mapua's Warren Bonifacio, Rence Nocum, and JJ Pido; San Beda's Franz Abuda, JB Bahio, Kemark Carino, Damie Cuntapay, and Clifford Jopia; San Sebastian's Itchie Altamirano, Michael Are, Ammar Cosari, Romel Calahat, Jessie Sumoda, Kenneth Villapando, and Rhinwil Yambing; and Perpetual's Kim Aurin and Lean Martel.
The draft applicants also include Fil-American Stephen Holt and former UAAP stars Zav Lucero, Ricci Rivero, and Deschon Winston.
Applicants were expected to attend the two-day Draft Combine set on September 12 and 13 at the Hoops Gatorade Center.
Terrafirma has the right for the first pick followed by Blackwater while Rain or Shine takes the next two spots. NorthPort, Phoenix Super LPG, and Meralco then come next before Converge gets 9th and 10th slots. NorthPort and Terrafirma will also get the 11 and 12th picks, respectively.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
