MANILA, Philippines – Renowned basketball coach Joel Banal was a proud father on Sunday as he watched the Blackwater Elite select his son, Raphael, in the second round of the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft.

The young Banal was technically the first pick of the "regular" draft, the first player off the board after the special draft for members of the Gilas Cadet pool.

It was a thrilling moment for father and son, who embarked on a somewhat risky five-year plan that saw Ael play collegiate basketball in the United States instead of in the Philippines.

"It's another miracle for our family," Coach Joel said after Blackwater made it official. "It really was a five-year plan to go to the States, and it paid off. Being No. 1 in the regular draft is really a miracle."

Ael acknowledged that he took an "unconventional road" to get to the PBA, and is simply grateful that he heard his name called by the PBA commissioner.

"I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to play at the professional level," he said. "Obviously, I'm very blessed, very honored."

• READ: Second generation Ael Banal is top pick of regular PBA Draft

Ael will be asked to be an impact player right away for Blackwater, which has struggled for most of its two-year stint in the PBA. He joins forces with another top draft pick, Mac Belo, who was selected in the Gilas draft, and Tristan Perez, who was taken in the second round of the regular draft.

"I'm really excited," the young Banal said. "Blackwater's a young team, so we have a lot of potential, a lot of opportunities. I can't wait to play with my teammates and get ready for this season."

Both father and son are also excited that Ael will be coached by Leo Isaac, who was a teammate of Joel during their college days in Mapua Institute of Technology.

"He was my junior when I was in Mapua. When I was playing, he came in as a 16-year-old, very young player, and I know him," said Joel. "He has a desire to win, and he won't quit – he's proven that."

"Ang sabi ko kay Raphael is, you're in good hands kay Coach Leo and with the Blackwater management."

"Coach Leo is a good coach, and I've known him since I was a young kid," Ael also said. "My dad used to coach against him so he's at the professional level, and any coach at the professional level is a great coach."

"I look forward to working with him."

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