The first virtual PBA Rookie Draft had its share of technical issues, comic relief and personal moments some of the 65 players selected will cherish for a very long time.
With all applicants limited to attending the proceedings via Zoom due to COVID-19 restrictions, most turn Draft Day into a chance to celebrate the possibility of hearing their names in front of friends and loved ones.
It didn’t take a while for Joshua Munzon to receive a warm welcome from Terrafirma, as he was beside the Dyip’s Roosevelt Adams when coach Johnedel Cardel announced the selection of the former ASEAN Basketball League and Chooks-to-Go 3x3 star as the top pick.
Calvin Oftana celebrated his selection as NLEX’s third pick by showing a Zoom session with family members while being interviewed by TV5’s Carla Lizardo.
The drawbacks of Zoom also surfaced during the network’s coverage of the Draft, from some dealing with audio and connection problems like No. 4 pick Mikey Williams and No. 8 James Laput to others forgetting that they are on mute such as No. 6 selection Ben Adamson and No. 7 Larry Muyang.
Only those taken during the special Gilas round and the first two rounds of the regular draft were interviewed, with the rest getting a few seconds of airtime once their names are called.
Andre Paras waited until the third round to be selected, with Blackwater choosing the actor-cager. As Paras was flaunting his new Bossing cap, his father Benjie tried to spoil his eldest son’s moment by appearing in the background.
The older Paras showed up a few more times, with Andre looking irate before flashing a wide grin which made the scene look like one of their Mang Tomas commercials.
Some draftees were with their loved ones, namely No. 5 pick Santi Santillan, Muyang, No. 10 Jerrick Ahanmisi (accompanied by his girlfriend and brother Maverick), No. 18 Nick Demusis (with girlfriend Rizza Diaz and their baby), No. 19 Aljun Melecio, and all the way to 59th pick Seraj Elmejrab, who kissed his wife while holding their child.
Brothers Loren and Louie Brill were selected in different rounds, prompting a double celebration for the family whose patriarch is former national youth player Louie Brill.
A few were surprised that were selected, including Mark Olayon who seemed to have been taken early by NorthPort at No. 24 and PBA legend Biboy Ravanes’ son Carl Bryan at No. 49.
The most emotional one no doubt was the selection of former FEU high school star Jerie Pingoy.
Pingoy fought back tears after being chosen by Phoenix with the 52nd overall pick.