FORMER two-time Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) Most Valuable Player Rey Anthony Suerte is set to become one of the top five picks in the upcoming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Draft and will be loaned to the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup which the Philippines is hosting.
Joining Suerte in the top five picks of the special draft that will be held prior to the regular one on Sunday at the Robinsons Place Manila are Ateneo standouts Isaac Go, Mike and Matt Nieto and the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s leading scorer, Allyn Bulanadi.
The arrangement has already been agreed upon by the PBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) as a way to help the Gilas Pilipinas form a formidable squad come 2023.
Columbian, Blackwater, NLEX, Alaska, and Rain or Shine — in this order — will pick one of the five and hold their rights before loaning them to Gilas until 2023.
Suerte, a former standout of the University of the Visayas who made his way to the University of the East in Season 82 of the UAAP, boosted his stock with averages of 17.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. (JNP)