ALLAN THE MAN

Former Ateneo slotman and many-time national player Greg Slaughter heads the initial cast of applicants for the 2014 PBA Annual Rookie Draft set on November 3 at Robinson’s Place Ermita in Manila.

The 6-11 Slaughter, a key figure in the Blue Eagles’ UAAP championship run the past few years, beat the deadline set for Fil-foreigners on September 12 to become the first of an expected bumper crop of quality big men to adorn next season's draft pool.

Slaughter, also a vital cog in the NLEX Road Warriors’ dominant four-conference championship run in the PBA D-League, is the consensus top pick overall in what should go down as one of the most talented rookie pools seen in the pro league in years.

Two other top prospects - San Sebastian center Ian Sangalang and Letran's Raymund Almazan - have yet to sign up since homegrown players have until October 18 to file their applications.

Another possible No. 1 pick, Bobby Ray Parks of National University, has yet to bare his plans, with his agent Charlie Dy saying the Bulldogs superstar isn't thinking about his draft plans at the moment so he could better focus on his UAAP career.

“Di pa namin iyan (PBA application) nadi-discuss. Gusto niya lang kasing mag-focus muna sa UAAP para di rin siya ma-distract,” Dy told Spin

Joining Slaughter in the initial draft pool are 6-9 Fil-foreigner Isaac Holstein of Big Chill, 6-3 James Forrester of Arellano, Jett Vidal of the University of Perpetual Help-Rizal, Nate Matute of Jose Rizal University, former Adamson gunner Alex Nuyles, Jen Knuttel and Mike Silungan.

Holstein, a product of West Virginia State University, was part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool that placed sixth in the 2013 Dubai Invitational International Tournament last January.

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