Height is still might for the Terrafirma Dyip brass as they picked 6-foot-9 big man Geo Chiu with the first pick in the PBA Season 50 Draft. It was the night’s first big stunner as shifty guard Juan Gomez de Liaño was widely seen by many as the likely top overall pick owing to his international experience and explosive scoring ability.
Geo Chiu is currently playing for the Abra Weavers in the MPBL and is averaging 5.6 points and 5.3 rebounds. He previously played 53 games for the Ehime Orange Vikings in the Japanese B.League D2 and put up 3.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in 16.2 minutes. The young big man also has Gilas Pilipinas experience, having been called up to play in the 2021 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia, the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup, and the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Gomez de Liaño, another former Gilas call-up, didn’t have to wait long to hear his name called as the Converge FiberXers picked him with the second pick of the PBA Season 50 Draft. Converge was originally supposed to pick eighth, but a trade with the Phoenix Fuel Masters just days before the draft allowed the FiberXers to move all the way up to second. The former UP Fighting Maroon figures to be an exciting addition to what is already an ultra-talented Converge backcourt of Alec Stockton, Schonny Winston, and MJ Garcia.
The Blackwater Bossing next drafted Filipino-Italian point guard Dalph Panopio in a mild surprise as the Jeffrey Cariaso-helmed squad already has a top-notch point guard in Sedrick Barefield. But it appears the Bossing went with the best-available-talent route and likely got an absolute stud in Panopio, who could certainly help relieve playmaking duties off Barefield.
How the Rest of the Draft Played Out After Geo Chiu, Juan Gomez de Liaño, and Dalph Panopio
With the fourth pick in the PBA Season 50 Draft, the NorthPort Batang Pier selected former Ateneo Blue Eagle Chris Koon, who will be tasked with replacing some of the production the Batang Pier lost when Arvin Tolentino left the team late last season. The NLEX Road Warriors then nabbed savvy point guard LJay Gonzales with the fifth pick to round out the top five. Selecting Gonzales is a curious move by NLEX to say the least, with incumbent lead guard Robert Bolick and veteran backup Baser Amer still with the team.
The Magnolia Hotshots picked Yukien Andrada to round out the top half of the PBA Season 50 Draft before the Meralco Bolts selected highly touted Filipino-American point guard Jason Brickman at seventh. The Phoenix Fuel Masters then nabbed power forward Will Gozum at eighth, the San Miguel Beermen picked Fil-Am wing Chris Miller at ninth, and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters selected hardworking forward Christian Manaytay at tenth.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel went with athletic forward Sonny Estil at eleventh, while Rain or Shine closed out the first round of the PBA Season 50 Draft by choosing Arthur Roque.
Here is a recap of the entire first round:
- Terrafirma: Geo Chiu
- Converge: Juan Gomez de Liaño
- Blackwater: Dalph Panopio
- NorthPort: Chris Koon
- NLEX: LJay Gonzales
- Magnolia: Yukien Andrada
- Meralco: Jason Brickman
- Phoenix: Will Gozum
- San Miguel: Chris Miller
- Rain or Shine: Christian Manaytay
- Ginebra: Sonny Estil
- Rain or Shine: Arthur Roque
Sleepers in the Second Round?
While the PBA Season 50 Draft has been widely panned as lacking in big names and game-changing talent, there remained some notable names drafted in the second round—including a few collegiate standouts.
The most notable of these names is arguably Shawn Umali, who was drafted 18th overall by Terrafirma. The burly Umali was one of the darlings of NCAA Season 99 with his combination of girth and grace, size and skill. He also put up 11 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1 steal for the Lyceum Pirates.
Former La Salle Green Archers CJ Austria and Joshua David, chosen 16th and 24th by NorthPort and Rain or Shine, might also be sleepers-in-waiting as they were fearless bucket-getters during their time at Taft. Vince Magbuhos, an athletic 6-foot-4 wing picked by Meralco at 19th, might also be a steal for a team in need of youth and athleticism.
Here are the picks of the second round:
13. Ginebra: Mario Barasi Jr.
14. Phoenix: Arnold Ando
15. NorthPort: Xymone Sandagon
16. NorthPort: CJ Austria
17. NLEX: Arving Gamboa
18. Terrafirma: Shawn Umali
19. Meralco: Vince Magbuhos
20. Rain or Shine: Mark Omega
21. Converge: Kobe Monje
22. Rain or Shine: Vince Cuajao
23. Ginebra: John Abis
24. Rain or Shine: Joshua David
