Davao City pride Francis Escandor of De La Salle University headlined the second round of selections in the 2024 PBA Rookie Draft on Sunday at Glorietta Mall’s Activity Center in Makati City.
The 25-year old Escandor, predicted to be tabbed midway into the second round, surprised many when he was picked first in the second round and 13th overall in a loaded PBA Draft. He went a long way from a member of the SBP, Paserelle and high school teams of the Ateneo de Davao University before crossing over to De La Salle Zobel and eventually to DLSU’s men’s team.
Rain or Shine, coached by Yeng Guiao, picked Escandor who is part of the Green Archers’ UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament championship team. In Escandor, Guiao will get a player in the mold of former ROS shooting guard Jeff Chan who is also a southpaw.
Escandor, son of Davao businessman Glenn Escandor who also heads the regional chapter of the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas ((SBP), went ahead of his teammates from the 2024 UAAP champion team Evan Nelle (14th) and Benjamin Phillips III (21st).
A major cog in the DLSU squad that won the PBA D League last year, last played with Manila SV Batang Sampaloc in the semi-professional league Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He suited up in 13 games and averaged 6.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 24 minutes per game for the team.
As testament to his shooting and defense, Escandor was picked by Strong Group Athletics to play in the team alongside NBA players Dwight Howard and André Roberson in the Dubai Iinvitational last January.
“I just need to be the best teammate that I can be, provide great energy for both defense and offense and I’ll go from there,” Escandor said right after being drafted.
Another native of Davao, Kurt Spencer Rayson of Malita, Davao Occidental was picked 23rd overall by the Meralco Bolts.
Reyson is a 5-foot-9 25-year old guard who impressed in the recent PBA Draft Combine making it to the Mythical Five in the scrimmages.
He won three NCAA titles with Colegio de San Juan de Letrán and also won a championship with Pampanga Giant Lanterns in Pilipinas Superliga and MPBL.
Reyson had averages of 8.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 15 games for Pampanga.
