Dalph Panopio was picked third overall by Blackwater in PBA Season 50 Draft. He will join the likes of Sedrick Barefield and Christian David in the Bossing fold.
Blackwater has locked up its first round-pick from the PBA Season 50 Draft.
This as third overall pick Dalph Panopio and the Bossing agreed to a three-year contract.
Blackwater head coach Jeff Cariaso bared this development to One Sports on Saturday, September 13.
[RELATED STORY: Tears of gratitude: Dalph Panopio opens up on ‘utang na loob’ to his parents ahead of PBA Draft]
Born and raised in Rome, Panopio was a highly-touted point guard heading into the Draft and for good reasons.
The 25-year-old, whose father and mother trace their local roots to Batangas and Oriental Mindoro, respectively, has a wealth of experience under his belt, including a stint with Batang Gilas.
Panopio first donned the Gilas jersey during the FIBA U18 Asian Championship in Thailand in 2018 where he impressed with 7.3 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
The following year, he also played for the national team in the FIBA U19 World Cup. He normed five points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.
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Panopio then suited up for US NCAA Division 1 school Cal State Bakersfield.
There, he averaged 4.1 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.