By REYNALD MAGALLON
Ateneo standout and Abra big man Geo Chiu, along with Fil-American prospects Cole Micek and Kascious Small-Martin were the last-minute additions to the 2025 PBA rookie draft that has attracted a record-tying 128 hopefuls.
The league unveiled the initial list at the close of the application deadline on Friday, Aug. 29, with the total number of applicants matching the previous record set back in 2023.
Although the list is expected to be trimmed in the coming days — particularly after the PBA Draft Combine on Sept. 4 and 5 — the large number of applicants is an encouraging sign for the league, especially amid growing competition from overseas leagues for top amateur talent.
Still, some notable names who could have been top picks like Kobe Paras, CJ Lane, Clint Escamis, DJ Fenner and Remi Martin, have all decided to skip this year’s draft.
Mike Phillips and other UAAP prospects set to compete in the upcoming Season 88 are also skipping the draft after the league denied PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial’s request to allow its players to apply.
On the list, the 6-foot-10 Geo Chiu, who brings experience from overseas and the MPB, emerges as a potential top pick, given PBA teams’ need for a big man who can match up against the likes of June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar.
The talent and overseas experience of players like Dalph Panopio, Juan Gomez De Liano, and Jason Brickman also make a compelling case for them to be selected high in the draft.
Micek, who last played for the Macau Black Bears, is also known as a model and actor, while the 6-foot-1 Kascious Small-Martin is a point guard from Brock University.
Other Fil-foreign prospects include Isaiah Africano, a 6-foot-2 guard from Pacific University in Oregon, and Wilfrid Nado from Santa Barbara City College.
Ljay Gonzales, Chris Koon, Jack Cruz-Dumont, Gjerard Wilson, Christian Manaytay, Sean Quitevis, Ethan Galang, Joshuan Yerro lead the UAAP standouts in the list while Will Gozum, Kyle Tolentino, Mark Sangco, Reggs Gabat, Robbie Nayve, Yukien Andrada, Ira Bataller, Harvey Pagsanjan and King Gurtiza were some notable names from NCAA side.
Brickman is the oldest applicant at 33-years-old while Qatar-based playmaker Jacey Cruz is the youngest at 21.
Chiu is the tallest followed by Ladis Lepalan at 6-foot-9 while the shortest is 5-foot-4 in Joshua Rivera from Pamantasan ng Muntinlupa.
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