AMA Online Education is intent on selecting La Salle star Jeron Teng as the top overall in the PBA D-League draft set Dec. 20 at the PBA Café in Metrowalk, Pasig City.
The Titans earned the right to pick first in the annual draft after posting the worst record among the returning teams that played both conferences last season.
With an eye at making the semifinals for the first time, AMA coach Mark Herrera is keen on picking Teng, who last week ended his collegiate career on a high note by leading La Salle to the UAAP title following a sweep of archrival Ateneo in the best-of-three finals.
Teng had said moments after the title-clinching victory his plan to play in the D-League, a requirement for amateurs who wishes to enter the PBA draft.
“We’re sure that Jeron Teng be our first pick,” Herrera said.
Tanduay, which lost to Phoenix in the Foundation Cup finals, is picking second, followed by Racal, Aspirants’ Cup runner-up CaféFrance, and Wang’s Basketball, which was placed at fifth overall as it only participated during last season’s first conference.
Newcomers Cignal, Jose Rizal University, Manuel L. Quezon University and the Province of Batangas will have their orders determined through a lottery which will be held on draft day.
Blustar Malaysia, meanwhile, will not be eligible to pick players as it is only a guest team.
Teng is one of 128 players – 113 local and 15 Fil-foreigners – who have been declared eligible to participate in the draft before the Aspirants’ Cup reels off on Jan. 19.