Now it’s the turn of NCAA players to put their names in the PBA rookie draft pool. Among the latest to apply are Peter Alfaro and Jielo Razon, joining the predominantly UAAP applicants.
Peter Alfaro’s Impressive Season
Peter Alfaro is fresh off a championship season with the San Beda Red Lions. He played a crucial role in the team’s upset victory over top seed Mapua in their best-of-three title series. Alfaro is currently a star player for the Zamboanga Valientes, which is competing in The Asian Tournament. Zamboanga Valientes team owner Junnie Navarro confirmed Alfaro’s availability for the draft.
Peter Alfaro’s Highlights:
- Team: San Beda Red Lions
- Achievement: Key player in championship season
- Current Team: Zamboanga Valientes
- Confirmation: Draft availability confirmed by Junnie Navarro
Jielo Razon’s Sparkplug Role
Jielo Razon served as the sparkplug for the University of Perpetual Help Altas. Despite falling short of reaching the Final Four of NCAA Season 99, Razon’s performance has made him a notable draft prospect.
Jielo Razon’s Highlights:
- Team: University of Perpetual Help Altas
- Role: Sparkplug
- Achievement: Just missed Final Four in NCAA Season 99
Jerom Lastimosa Joins the Draft
Former Gilas player and Adamson star Jerom Lastimosa has also applied for the draft, adding significant depth to the pool of candidates.
Jerom Lastimosa’s Highlights:
- Team: Adamson
- Previous Role: Gilas player
- Draft Status: Applied
Predominantly UAAP Applicants
So far, UAAP players have dominated the draft list. The deadline for applications is the end of office hours on July 4.
Notable UAAP Applicants:
- Evan Nelle: La Salle
- Ben Philips: La Salle
- Francis Escandor: La Salle
- DJ Mitchell: La Salle
- CJ Cansino: University of the Philippines
- CJ Catapusan: University of the Philippines
- Calvin Payawal: University of the East
- Paul Garcia: Ateneo
- Caelan Tiongson: Biola University (Fil-Am)
Alfaro’s Previous Draft Decision
Alfaro had deferred applying in last year’s draft despite playing for TNT Tropang Giga during the PBA On Tour alongside fellow Red Lions Clifford Jopia, Damie Cuntapay, and JV Gallego. Jopia and Cuntapay were picked by Blackwater and Terrafirma, respectively. Alfaro, however, kept himself in peak condition by playing for the Zamboanga Valientes.
Peter Alfaro’s Draft Journey:
- Deferred Last Year: Despite playing for TNT Tropang Giga
- Fellow Red Lions: Clifford Jopia, Damie Cuntapay
- Current Condition: Maintained by playing for Zamboanga Valientes
Conclusion
The addition of Peter Alfaro, Jielo Razon, and Jerom Lastimosa to the PBA rookie draft pool highlights the increasing talent and competition in this year’s draft. With a mix of NCAA and UAAP players, the upcoming PBA season promises to be exciting and full of potential new stars.(LODIBET)