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Friday, March 29, 2024

Tossup between Munzon, Williams for no. 1 pick

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As teams, fans, and basketball experts were anticipating Joshua Munzon, a veteran international campaigner to become the top overall rookie pick, there’s a strong buzz swirling on the eve of the Rookie Draft that Mikey Williams’ boosted stock could make him become a potential No.1 pick.

Tossup between Munzon, Williams for no. 1 pick
Mike Williams: New no. 1?

A team insider from Terrafirma, who has knowledge of the team's discussions, said that now, it’s a tossup between Williams and Munzon as far as the top overall pick is concerned.

A former NBA D-League and a US NCAA Division 1 player, Williams has garnered more attention the past few days leading to Draft Day, the same source said.

“Anything could happen until Draft Day,” said the source, who requested anonymity. “Maugong 'yung Williams talaga lalo na the past three days, although the team’s original plan was really to get Munzon. Dalawa talaga puwedeng mangyari, it’s either Munzon or Williams.”

Terrafirma Dyip will be selecting the No.1 pick for the third straight season. Three years ago, the team drafted CJ Perez, who became the squad’s top gunner the past two seasons, but the former Lyceum stalwart was traded to the already-loaded San Miguel Beermen for Russell Escoto, Gelo Alolino, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser and the Beermen’s first-round pick this year.

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Last season, the Dyip selected Roosevelt Adams.

The Dyip are in need of a scorer following the departure of Perez, and Munzon, who played in the Asean Basketball League and is regarded as the Philippines’ top 3 x 3 player, is touted as the potential top overall pick, who could fuel the team's offense. This may have changed when Williams, a Fil-Am, became eligible for the Rookie Draft.                

Other big names included in the draft billed as the deepest since the 1989 edition, include forwards Jamie Malonzo and Calvin Oftana, 3 x 3 stalwarts Leonard Santillan and Alvin Pasaol, NCAA champion Larry Muyang, 6'8" stretch big Troy Rike, and 6'7" center Benedict Adamos of Perpetual Help.

After Terrafirma, NorthPort selects next, followed by NLEX and TNT.

The rest of the draft order is as follows: Rain or Shine (No.5), Alaska (No.6), Phoenix Super LPG (No.7), Terrafirma (No.8),  Meralco (No.9), Magnolia (No.10), NorthPort (No.11) and Ginebra (No. 12).

But this year’s draft may also have a bumper cast of possible draft sleepers, including Nick Demusis, Andrei Caracut, Andre Paras, Ken Holmquist, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Joshua Torralba, Dhon Reverente, and RK Ilagan. among others.

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