By REYNALD MAGALLON
Six-foot-nine Geo Chiu was picked first overall by Terrafirma while Converge drafted Juan Gomez de Liano drafted at second in the 2025 PBA Rookie Draft at Mall of Asia Music Hall, Sunday Sept. 7.
As expected, the Dyip put premium on height, tapping the 24-year-old center brimming with potential while the FiberXers had another combo guard it could pair to an already potential backcourt in Alec Stockton and Schonny Winston.
Although already projected as the top pick by most mock drafts, the pick still came as a surprise for Chiu, who stressed that being picked in the PBA was already a realization of his dream but all the more being selected first overall.
“I’m so shocked, like this is something that every kid has dreamt of, and now I’m here,” said the promising big man who will be joining the likes of Mark Nonoy and Paolo Hernandez as part of the building blocks for the rebuilding Dyip.
“I’m really thankful for this opportunity and I’m just also thankful for the team, for drafting me and for believing in me,” he added.
De Liano, on the other hand, shared the same excitement especially joining a Converge team which is looking to make use of his overseas experiences in their bid to contend for a title in the 50th Season.
“Maturity-wise, I feel like I gained a lot of experience overseas and yeah, I’m just excited to be here in the PBA,” said Gomez De Liano, who will now be joining brother Javi who plays for Magnolia.
Batang Gilas standout Dalph Panopio was then selected as third overall pick while NorthPort picked 6-foot-5 winger and Ateneo standout Chris Koon as fourth overall.
At No. 5, NLEX drafted spitfire guard LJay Gonzales from FEU while Magnolia selected Yukien Andrada at No.6 and Meralco added veteran Jason Brickman at No.7.
Phoenix, which traded its second overall pick to Converge for the eighth pick and Bryan Santos, drafted another big man in Will Gozum while San Miguel added globetrotting sharpshooter in Chris Miller.
Rain or Shine, who held two picks in the first round tapped Christian Manaytay and Jude Roque in the 10th and 12th pick while Barangay Ginebra took draft combine MVP Sonny Estil with 11th pick.
