TOP PICK. Fille Claudine Cainglet poses with two thumbs up as she is watching the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) Draft on Saturday (Feb. 13, 2021). Cainglet, a doctor, was doing a surgery at University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center UERM when Glutagence team named her WNBL Draft’s first overall pick. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Fille Claudine Cainglet was named the first overall pick of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) Draft.
Incoming squad Glutagence took the 32-year-old guard to headline the team following the draft proceedings that took place online on Saturday night.
Cainglet's selection, however, was made more special by the fact that she, now a doctor at University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, was witnessing the draft as it happened inside the said hospital's operating room.
"Thank you WNBL! Literal nagtatahi ako dito sa OR habang umiiyak (I am literally sewing the wounds while crying)," said Cainglet, the older sister of former college and pro volleyball star Fille Saint Merced.
Cainglet starred for University of the Philippines during the late 2000's, leading the team to two University Athletic Association of the Philippines finals appearances.
The Glow Boosters then used their next two picks to select La Salle's "Splash Sisters" of Camille Claro and Khate Castillo.
Quezon, another WNBL newcomer, drafted former University of the East player Dianne Ventura with the fourth overall pick and former Adamson standout Kat Araja at number five.
Pacific Water, the third incoming club this WNBL season, chose former La Salle and national team player Snow Peñaranda with the sixth overall pick, while Glutagence capped the fourth round by taking former Far Eastern University center Camille Sambile seventh overall.
Parañaque, one of only two holdovers from last season, went for veteran smarts with its first draft pick by taking 33-year-old Angeli Gloriani as the third selection in the fifth round, 10th overall.
Vanessa Santos, who was the Lady Aces' team captain last season but was left out in their so-called protect list, still found her way back to the said club as they took her with the last pick in the eighth round or the 23rd overall pick.
Meanwhile, celebrity baller Nicole De Los Reyes and Southeast Asian Games double gold medalist Clare Castro lead the cast of players who are directly recruited by the four aforementioned teams through the protect list.
De los Reyes, who played for the Cleon and Clyde Lady Snipers last season, was placed in Glutagence's protect list along with Micah Figuracion and Julie Gula.
Castro, on the other hand, will headline Parañaque as one of its seven protected players.
Joining her are fellow former FEU stars Allana Lim and April Siat alongside Kris Tolentino, Mardyn Tingcang, Carmina Reyes, and Jamie Alcoy.
Pacific Water protected former Lady Tamaraws Precious Arellado and Valerie Mamaril, former Ateneo Lady Eagles Jollina Go and Pam Payac, Adeline Sebastian, and Girly Villaflores.
Quezon then used its protect privilege in Phaula Nadres, Wami Taroja, Krystine Duran, Evita Naynes, and Chicky Faroan.
Through the protect list, the teams have a chance to directly take in players from last season. (PNA)
