Sydman’s Side Defect: The 2007 PBA Draft Version 1

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN

Last season, rookies lorded the pro ball arena with most of the veterans undergoing a greater mission that would send our country back to the worldwide basketball stage.

This year, we expect more.

For sure these players will have a bit of “summoning sickness” if and when they get cast by their masters (coaches in layman’s terms). But as they learn to figure in the fight, they should become valuable attackers and defenders to help claim the win for their colors.

I miss playing Magic the Gathering.

Ehem.

As it stands, the Welcoat Dragons won 19 percent (7 wins 29 losses) of their games in the whole 2006-07 Season. Claiming second place is the Coca-Cola Tigers with 34 percent (14 wins 27 losses). The Sta. Lucia Realtors had 39 percent (17 wins 27 losses) while the Purefoods Giants carved a 44 percent win clip (18 wins 23 losses). Rounding the Top 10 are Air21 Express (21 wins 20 losses or 51%), Alaska Aces (22 wins 18 losses or 55%), Talk N’ Text Phonepals (26 wins 20 losses or 57%), San Miguel Beermen (31 wins 21 losses or 60%), Red Bull Barako (30 wins 17 losses or 64%), and the Baranggay Ginebra Kings (33 wins 16 losses or 67%).

Assuming that there are no trades (unrealistic actually), this will be the current state of the draft. The Draft will take place this August and as we prepare the coming of the next big stars, here is my mock draft… VERSION 1.

The 2007 PBA Mock Draft

1) Welcoat – Joe Devance: This team desperately needs size with Lao and Sta. Maria proving far from best in the starting center slot. This should be another ordeal for the Dragons that they will lose Alex Compton as his “import” status has expired. Devance, if his papers are authenticated, is PBA ready and he could deliver the goods for the Dragons.

2) Coke – Ken Bono: Here is another team that could seriously use size. The current UAAP MVP has improved a lot and his ability to hit those post shots could very much spell good things in their frontcourt. Ali Peek was their lone big guy in that team and it was a miracle he escaped serious wear and tear.

3) Sta. Lucia – Ryan Reyes: The loss of Alex Cabagnot proved vital in their quest to redeem “greatness” in their ballclub. While their size needs to be addressed, it seems leadership must be fixed in the guard spot. Reyes is a bulky but energetic guard capable of doing damage. The sophomore slump has weakened Dennis Miranda and we might also have a trade involving Paolo Mendoza and Marlou Aquino to some random team with salary space.

4) Purefoods – JR Quinahan: With Kerby Raymundo on loan and most of their frontline damaged, the Giants failed to advance past the Semis. I doubt if Quinahan can continue dominating the paint like in the PBL but Purefoods will definitely welcome him to the roster.

5) Air21 – JC Intal: The crack Ateneo guard will find the Express suitable for his style of play. Now that Sonny Jaworski is pacing their bench, expect his run and gun offense to shape around their high-leaping pouncers. They also missed a scoring presence when Gary David went down because of injury.

6) Alaska – Samigue Eman: If you saw what Tim Cone did to Sonny Thoss, expect the same treatment they’ll give to Eman. His big frame will be of use for the Aces now that they will have no Rosell Ellis to depend in the Philippine Cup. The Aces does not need guards right now but they do need projects that will develop.

7) TNT – Marvin Cruz: If the Philippine Team becomes successful (surely of course), then Jimmy Alapag’s stay with the team will further be missed. Cruz however, had a breakout season in the UAAP and in the PBL. He was also one of the main men that ruled the SEABA tourney.

8) San Miguel – Doug Kramer: His stock can go as high as number three but while there are a lot of talents yet to be taken; Kramer is a cinch if the Beermen finds his name still in the list. He has a PBA-ready body with the intention of scoring and stopping with tremendous magnitude. It’s also prerogative since the Beermen owns most of the Ateneo players in the PBA.

9) Red Bull – Yousif Aljamal: Talented but restrained in terms of recognition, Aljamal needs to move out of the shadows that Sam Ekwe bestowed onto him. This crafty forward can provide the scoring and also the dirty work that Yeng Guiao craves.

10) Ginebra – Ronjay Buenafe: I doubt if Ginebra will likely have this pick with all the trades they’ve undergone last season. Choosing Buenafe simply means that he is arguably the highest rated player aside from the initial 9. He is a Gary David clone from the Emilio Aquinaldo College and he has proven that he can score in loads in a given night.

As for Ginebra, the best thing they can do is find a big guy since they’re already loaded in the guard spots.

Rounding out the Top 25 (although only 20 will be picked), these are the players I think that could even push up in the standings, although most of them play the small spots. In a league overwhelmed with shooting guards, I believe the league can have more. (By the way, they are not in any order.)

11) Jojo Duncil – UST Shooting Guard that opted to turn pro after sparking a controversy.

12) Ryan Arana – Harbour and DLSU forward with intense scoring and defensive prowess.

13) Macky Escalona – Ateneo guard notorious for unloading momentum-killing baskets.

14) Jonas Villanueva – FEU spitfire that could have still play had not for the rebuilding phase.

15) Jeff Chan – FEU shooting sensation licensed to score in the dying moments.

16) Reed Juntilla – A longtime PBL scoring machine capable in scoring inside and outside.

17) Melvin Mamaclay – A former Adamson player and regional league journeyman that had controversy when he chose to play for the PBL rather than stay in the UAAP. (This was Salary versus Allowance issue.)

18) Derrick Hubalde – Older brother of Paolo and a former UST Tiger usually seen playing in the lower commercial and regional leagues.

19) Jeff Bombeo – A PBL and San Beda forward that played during the Ekwe-less years.

20) Kenneth Coyukang – A promising and youthful former JRU stalwart.

21) Khiel Misa – Perpetual and Henkel-Sista’s fireball hurling quarterback.

22) Joel Solis – Hapee-PCU’s scoring threat. Once part of the dreaded PCU squad led by then Rookie MVP Gabby Espinas.

23) Ramil Tagupa – Played and starred at Adamson where they had a string of near-Final Four finishes.

24) Francis Barcellano – Another FEU player that can light up the board with his heads-up plays.

25) Alex Angeles – Former San Beda quarterback responsible for dishing passes on Aljamal, Escobal, Menor, Ekwe, and the rest of the title-grabbing Lions.

Anyway this was at the time I have no idea on what the first round will look like, how many teams will not participate in the draft, and how they will fare in the rookie camp.

Developments will come into place in two weeks.