Danny Ildefonso, left unprotected by Meralco, is at the top of Blackwater’s wish list in the PBA dispersal draft along with former Rain or Shine mainstays Larry Rodriguez and Alex Nuyles. Jerome Ascano
The top pick in Friday’s PBA dispersal draft should be a toss-up between rugged Rain or Shine forward Larry Rodriguez and two-time league MVP Danny Ildefonso.
A check of the wish list of Kia Motors showed that the Manny Pacquiao-coached team is eyeing Rodriguez to boost a 17-man initial pool that also has current and former PBA players Chad Alonzo, Nic Belasco, Norman Gonzales and Jai Reyes.
Also likely be part of the roster which Kia will submit to Commissioner Chito Salud before the dispersal draft are Khasim Mirza, LA Revilla, Emerson Oreta, Paul Sanga and Rich Alvarez.
Pacquiao’s second cousin, Rene, is also part of those being considered by Kia coaching staff along with Mindanao-based cagers Jonathan Pareno and Louie Medalla.
Blackwater Sports, on the hand, is said to be bent on tabbing Ildefonso, who it wants to lead a young team which owner Dioceldo Sy hopes would also include Rodriguez, Rain or Shine rookie Alex Nuyles, and former Elasto Painter Ronnie Matias.
The Ever Bilena franchise also wants to have the core of its PBA D-League team.
Among the regulars in Blackwater Sports’ daily practices are Reil Cervantes, Gilbert Bulawan, Hyram Bagatsing, Juami Tiongson, Paul Zamar, Jerico Cruz, Gio Ciriacruz, Bambam Gamalinda, Bacon Austria, Raul Soyud, Allan Mangahas, Eddie Laure and Aris Dimaunahan.
Players not on both entries will automatically be given to the respective teams that named them while players targeted by both teams will be thrown into the dispersal pool along with the other free agents and the unprotected players recently released by the ten existing teams.
The first pick will be drawn via a lottery either through a toss coin or drawing of lots.
