‘Akosi Dogie’ 1st pick in PBA Esports draft event

ONE of the country’s most popular gamers is taking his act to the most popular basketball team in the land.

Akosi Dogie went down in history as the first ever top overall pick in the inaugural PBA Esports Bakbakan Draft held Monday at Robinsons Place Manila.

Barangay Ginebra made it possible the moment the draft ordered was revealed, tapping the well-known vlogger and tech enthusiast, Naser Ignacio Mollazehi in real life, with the no. 1 selection during the proceedings.

“With our first draft pick, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel picks Akosi Dogie,” big man Christian Standhardinger announced to get the drafting going.

Akosi Dogie was later joined on stage by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial and presented his customary Ginebra jacket by team governor Alfrancis Chua, manager Rayboy Rodriguez, and Standhardinger.

TNT also didn’t lose time taking its turn in the podium as it picked Billy ‘Z4pnu’ Alfonso at no. 2, while Eric ‘Eruption’ Tai ended up at no. 3 with the Magnolia Hotshots.

Meanwhile, pretty influencer Lhea Bernardinho was the first female player to be drafted in the PBA Esports history at no. 4 with Terrafirma Dyip, followed by Edgar ‘ChooxTV’ Dumali at fifth with Blackwater.

Other first round picks in the draft were Renz ‘Pein’ Reyes at no. 6 with NLEX, Honda Beast at seventh with Phoenix, Yuri Gaming with NorthPort at eighth, Mico ‘Coco’ Sampang with Meralco at ninth, Okata at 10th for Rain or Shine, Converge got the ever popular L3bron at no. 11, and Elyson ‘Ghost Wrecker’ Caranza at no. 12 for San Miguel

Team governors led by vice chairman Bobby Rosales of Terrafirma, officials, and players joined Marcial in welcoming the draft aspirants during the three-hour program, also attended by Dark League Studios CEO AC Valdenor and program director Mark Chua.