Blackwater is expected to take 3x3 standout Brandon Rosser as the top overall pick when the PBA returns to the Robinsons Place Manila for its annual Rookie Draft Sunday, May 14.
Barring a sudden change of heart, the Bossing are poised to select Rosser to begin the draft proceedings at 4 p.m. before fans and shoppers inside the mall located in Manila’s Ermita district.
Rosser, who was part of the Gilas Pilipinas squad that settled for a bronze medal in the men’s 3x3 competitions of the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games, is considered as the biggest name of this year’s draft class.
That came after former La Salle star Justine Baltazar withdrew amid rumors that he’ll sign in Japan’s B.League while Fil-American Sedrick Barefield failed to submit a physical Philippine passport.
The Bossing have three draft picks in the first round which they will look to take advantage following a dismal 2021-22 campaign.
Blackwater, which avoided a winless season by defeating Magnolia Pambansang Manok in its final game, also owns the ninth and 11th picks of the first round.
After selecting first in the previous three seasons, Terrafirma will get to choose second while new team Converge has the third and fourth picks which was part of its purchase of the Alaska franchise.
Rain or Shine and NorthPort select fifth and sixth, NLEX at No. 7 and Governors’ Cup champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel at No. 8.
Rain or Shine picks again at No. 10 while Magnolia Pambansang Manok will choose 12th and last in the first round.
Blackwater drafts first in the second round, followed by Blackwater, Phoenix Super LPG, Phoenix, Rain or Shine in back-to-back picks, Ginebra, NLEX, Meralco, Phoenix and Magnolia.
The order for the third round onwards will be Blackwater, Terrafirma, Converge, Phoenix, Rain or Shine, NorthPort, NLEX, Ginebra, San Miguel Beer, Meralco, TNT and Magnolia.
Other notable draftees are former Alab Pilipinas and TNT 3x3 cager Jeremiah Gray, ex-B.League cager Javi Gomez de Liano, Encho Serrano and Arellano University product Justin Arana.