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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Phoenix to send second overall pick to Converge for Bryan Santos, eighth pick

Phoenix to send second overall pick to Converge for Bryan Santos, eighth pick

Published Sep 4, 2025 10:50 pm

At A Glance

  • Phoenix is looking to send its second overall pick in the 2025 PBA Rookie Draft to Converge in exchange of Bryan Santos and the eighth overall pick of the same class.
Phoenix is looking to send its second overall pick in the 2025 PBA Rookie Draft to Converge in exchange of Bryan Santos and the eighth overall pick of the same class.
The trade papers have already been submitted to the PBA office for approval on Thursday, Sept. 4 – the same day as the Day 1 of the Draft Combine – as per deputy commissioner Eric Castro.
In an interview during the Draft Combine, newly minted Phoenix head coach Willie Wilson explained that decision to trade the second round pick was based on what the Fuel Masters feel they need heading into the new season
“We're not comfortable with what is perceived to be at the top of the draft board as far as fitting with what we have and the direction that we're going,“ said Wilson on the sidelines of the combine at the Ynares Sports Arena.
“And for what we’re receiving, possibly (from the proposed trade), we perceive that to be a better fit with what we have and the direction that we’re going.”
Should the trade get the green light, the Fuel Masters will get a reliable stretch big in Santos they could pair with Kai Ballungay and Jason Perkins.
Despite sliding down to the eighth pick, Wilson believes the draft pool is still deep enough for them to get their hands on a quality rookie it can add to the Phoenix core of Tyler Tio, Ricci Rivero and Ken Tuffin.
“Contrary to what is widely being spoken about, I feel that this is a very talented pool of players, just maybe not in the perceived sense of what we’ve seen in the past but I think that there are a vast array of very skilled players out there,“ explained Wilson
For the FiberXers, they will be moving up the ladder, putting them in the position to select one of the prospects in this years top heavy draft.
Among the presumptive top picks are Juan Gomez De Liano, Geo Chiu, Dalph Panopio, Will Gozum and Jason Brickman.
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