Jeron Teng formally made No. 1 pick in PBA D-League Draft

MANILA, Philippines – Jeron Teng will be the new king of the Titans after AMA Online Education made him the first overall selection in the 2016 PBA D-League Draft on Tuesday at PBA Cafe in Metrowalk, Pasig City.

The 6-foot-2 La Salle stud will be counted on to lead the Titans to new heights as they seek to make the semifinals for the first time in their franchise history.

"Actually si Jeron Teng, pag pumasok sa team yan may improvement agad yung team," said coach Mark Herrera. "Kailangan ng team namin yan ngayon kasi bata pa kami. Ngayon, wala kaming foreigner so sa kanya kami nag-buibuild. Napakalaking morale boost ito sa amin."

Tanduay had the biggest surprises of the draft, nabbing Letran big man Jom Sollano second overall.

Racal made unheralded forward Jonjon Gabriel of Colegio de San Lorenzo as the third overall pick, followed by Cafe France nabbing CEU standout Patrick Aquino at fourth, and Wangs Basketball taking Ateneo center G-boy Babilonia at five.

Victoria Sports-MLQU got Jayson Grimaldo at sixth, Cignal-San Beda took Davon Potts at seventh, ans Batangas selected homegrown Wilmar Anderson to end the first round.

Much to the surprise of everyone, Fil-Am guard Jason Brickman fell to the laps of Tanduay in the fourth round.

School-based squads Cafe France-CEU, Cignal-San Beda, and Victoria Sports-MLQU had to select their varsity players first before getting their hands in the draft pool.

The draft went on to the 18th round, where Batangas completed their roster full of native Batangueño ballers.

Jose Rizal University and guest team Blustar Malaysia did not to participate in the proceedings as they already have their complete lineups locked.

The 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup kicks off on January 19 next year at Ynares Sports Arena.