As expected, CJ Perez, Bobby Ray Parks, and Robert Bolick went 1-2-3 in the 2018 PBA Draft on Sunday at the Robinsons Place Manila.
A year after trading away their lottery pick for a slew of role players, Columbian Dyip didn't waste their pick this time and tabbed a bona fide star in Perez from Lyceum with the top overall pick.
The addition of Perez will be an immense boost for the team that has struggled the whole season after letting go of the chance to take Christian Standhardinger last year.
Blackwater selected two-time UAAP MVP Parks, who is currently in Indonesia to for Alab Pilipinas' game against CLS Knights in the Asean Basketball League.
After his stint with National University in the UAAP, Parks tried to tread the NBA and suited up for the Texas Legends in the NBA G-League. He also played for Gilas Pilipinas.
Bolick, meanwhile, is headed to NorthPorth at No. 3. The best two-way guard in the draft is expected to complement high-octane Northport star Stanley Pringle, who has carried the bulk of the load for the Batang Pier since the departure of Terrence Romeo.
The Draft made a surprise turn when NLEX took University of the Philippines standout Paul Desiderio with the fourth overall pick. Desiderio is fresh from leading the Maroons to the finals for the first time in 32 years.
"I didn't expect this," said Desiderio.
Meralco, which is in need of a big man, went with Fil-Am guard Trevis Jackson with the fifth pick. He will join a guard-heavy Bolts that also features Baser Amer, Anjo Caram, Mike Tolomia, and Chris Newsome.
Rain or Shine tabbed Javee Mocon and Jayjay Alejandro with the sixth pick and eighth picks, respectively, while NLEX got perhaps the best big man in the 47-man draft pool after selecting Abu Tratter at seventh.
Alaska coach Alex Compton then made another shocker of an announcement after plucking Jasper Ayaay with the ninth pick, while Magnolia shored up its frontline by taking Michael Calisaan at 10.
JP Calvo, who boosted his stock after winning the MVP during the Draft Combine, went to the Columbian Dyip at No. 11.
Another standout during the draft Combine, Jorey Napoles from TIP, rounded out the first round and headed to Phoenix.
"I really didn't expect this. I was nervous, I didn't know what would happen," said Napoles. "I'll just give my everything."
Expected to be a first-rounder, Letran leader Bong Quinto dropped to the second round. He was selected by Meralco with the 14th over all pick.
Rain or Shine picked Paul Varilla at No. 13, Magnolia got another quality big man in Jeepy Faundo (15th), NLEX tabbed Kris Porter (16th), Alaska selected Gideon Babilonia (17th), and Dyip picked Cyrus Tabi (18th).
Rain or Shine then plucked former Adamson cagers Robbie Manalang and Harold Ng with the 19th and 20th picks, respectively.
Alaska and Magnolia opted not to pick, while Phoenix tabbed Ron Dennison and Joe Trinidad at No. 23 and 24, respectively.
Out of 47 hopefuls, only six names were not called: Emmanuel Calo, AJ Coronel, Clark Derige, Jerome Garcia, Joseph Manlangit, and Ralph Salcedo.
The Elasto Painters had the most picks with seven, followed by the Dyip and Road Warriors with five apiece. Blackwater and Northport had four each.