Sydman’s Side Defect: The 2007 PBA Draft Version 1
July 26, 2007 by SYDMAN
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.
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I’ll take Bono as the number 1 pick. Austria and Bono will reunite in the PBA. Hey Syd, where’s Jason Castro?
is it true no.2 pick daw smb? how come?
and smb got larry fonacier for calaguio & cablay???
First pick is welcoat. Then SMB. 3rd is Alaska. 4th is air21. 5th is Sta. lucia. 6th and 7th picks go to Alaska. That is confirm. I don’t know the rest of the list.
My projected players to be draft are:
1. Welcoat- Samigue Eman ( Coach Leo Austria express his desire to see Reyes and Eman play together in the pro league).
2. SMB - JC Intal ( just to solidify their ateneo core) hehe.
3. Alaska - Joe Devance ( i think that nic belasco is fast approaching retirement. it’s evident through his performance in the past season).
4. Air21 - Ken Bono (they need some ceiling and scoring threat inside. mark telan and ranidel de ocampo can’t do it alone. and he’s chubby like daniels. hehe).
5. Sta. Lucia - JR Quinahan ( they need a big guy. and they should trade either marlou or dennis to free some salary space cause their values are dwindling.)
6. Alaska - Ryan Reyes ( he can be the next caguiao if the right conditions are met and miller needs a new student. miller 30 years old, cariaso 32 years old.)
7. Doug Kramer or Yousif Aljamal ( ferriols 32 years old, belasco 34 years old. that’s an aging line up.)
paki confirm naman yung trade rumors na nasa SMB na si fonacier?
i doubt eman will be number 1 though. welcoat can’t have projects lording their team.
Oo confirm na yan nag take effect na kc mga trades years ago. And pamalit ng SMB sa nabasa ko is cablay, rodriguez, and adriano. Tapos itratrade ulit nila rodriguez para sa future draft pick.
Yeah c deVance cguro. May impact agad si devance sa welcoat. Ang alam ko playing injured si eman nung 1st half ng pbl and nung bandang playoffs na eh nag rerecover pa lang siya. Malay natin piliin ng welcoat si eman for no. 1. Menacing yun pag nadevelop properly si reyes + eman.
Sana sa Alaska na lang si DeVance. Asar kasi si castro at rob reyes imbes na mas malalim pa draft eh. Hehe. Yang dalawang yan gusto ko para sa alaska eh. Hehehe. Medyo gamble din si ryan reyes ha. Pag napick ng alaska si devance, ryan reyes at kramer or aljamal or marvin cruz ok na future nila with cortez and thoss.
if that’s the case for san miguel then wow, getting the second draft pick is something. not sure if they’ll pick intal though. they still have hontiveros, seigle, tugade, calaguio, gonzales, and now fonacier roaming that 2 and 3 positions.
yeah pero up front naman para sa smb andyan si pena, ildefonso, villanueva, and now seigle is more adept playing pf. Cause more refine na defense niya sa post at rebounding. And waiting in the wings pa ang nakafreezer na si gabby espinas. Hahaha.
or maybe the core of that harbour center guys were informed that harbour is going to the pba maybe next year. So castro at rob reyes just decided to cancel their plans this year para sa harbour pa rin sila sa pros. Sila yung ieelevate. Wala. Theory ko lang. Hehehe.
Dennis miranda in a slump? I think not. Talagang hanggang dun lng siya. Paul Artadi siya na mas magaling lang sa depensa. Hahaha. Pero asar yan. Siya yung kumana nung tres na nag eliminate sa aces last last conference sa wildcard. Arggggg. Heheheh
my e-mail- gpioquinto@aim.com
alternate cp no. - 09186645347
balitaan niyo naman ako sa pre season ng pba! thanks. hehehe….
Castro committed to the SEA Games-bound RP Team. It’s in the papers.
And where’s Bonbon Custodio? Though his bad record in the UAAP would prove to be detrimental to his draft hopes, There might still be two, maybe three, teams willing to gamble on him.
I agree with Chris that Bono will be taken no.1. Welcoat already has a banger in JR Reyes so they need a big man with range like Bono.
^Bonbon is the best open court player I’ve ever seen in the UAAP in years. I hope to see him in the PBA if not next year, in years to come.
i thought he was conditioning himself. I guess we will see in the next draft or something.
@Chris: And the most turnover-prone. :D
^Well yeah, but remember those turnovers were included in the game fixing issue? :P
Oh yeah. Me dumb dumb. :))
nice site man…
i think eman will be a good pick 4 welcoat. you cant teach size & height man…
peace…
out…
hey, just wanna ask. does purefoods have a 1st round pick?
tnx…
aljamal is better off with ginebra…
[...] Joe Calvin Devance whose mother, Mae Sanz Devance has roots from Escalante is one of the center of attractions in this year’s draft. According to a PBA 2007 Mock Draft that I read, he’ll be the number one pick although as of this time Welcoat Dragons is not yet announcing on who will be their choice. [...]
jc intal sana sa san miguel pati c gave norwood
c castro kya di pa nagpadraft kc hindi pa cya tapos na pagaaral
i like the topic, i’m a basketball fan also. i’ve also read that you’ve missed playing magic, by the way i’m a magic player also. if ever you have some remaining cards that is for sale, just message me. ^_^
Can anybody tell me who Gave Norwood is? hehe peace out
i think (alaska, tnt, ginebra, smb) dont need draft picks anymore!! msyado na mlakas ang roster nila..
give other teams to balance their lineups..
and for my alaska team-1 big men ang kailangan nila 4 d future’ kc my edad na mga big men nila..
if smb will get # pick, i guess they will really take gabe norwood. and i think smb should also get either macky escalona or doug kramer.. they will need those two guys.. especially escalona…
but smb has dibs on him. nasa magnolia siya ngayon.
Sinong nasa Magnolia? C Norwood bah?
*Reads Sydman’s comment*
QUESTION…dalawa ba picks nang SMB sa 1st round?
from coke yang number 2 nila eh, thats from the dale singson trade.talking about forseight huh!
chill
my guess>>>
draft order in reference to the philippine star issue dated aug 16,2007.
1) welcoat- Devance(they need a guy who can contribute right away)
2)SMB- Eman
3)SLR- Bono
4)coke-kramer
5)Air 21- intal
6-7)Alaska-aljamal and reyes
8)TNT-marvin cruz
9)SMB-pepito or arana
10)coke- quinahan or aljamal depending on who alaska will take.
exciting draft….need vs talent, potential vs maturity, and height vs skill!!!
Cant wait for sunday to come!!!
he must love the crowd. yun lang ang nakikita kong explanation.
Nice forum.. M kinda new here so pls bear wth me.. Anyway, my bets are..
1) Welcoat - Devance
2) SMB (if this is true) - Intal
3) SLR - Eman
4) Coke - Bono
5) A21 - Quinahan
6-7) Alaska - Reyes, Kramer
8) TNT - Cruz
9) SMB - Arana
10) Coke - Duncil
Tapos sana ganto mangyari.. Larry, Rich and Bugs for Calaguio, Cablay and Espinas!
Peace!
And sana mas dumami pa ung teams sa PBA para mas maraming makalaro na players. Sayang kasi ung talent pool.
Peace!
And does anyone know what the exact order of round 2 is? Tnx!
anyway, you’re too late. only paolo bugia, magnum membrere and rich alvarez stuck at red bull. you’re right about cablay and calaguio but its adriano instead of espinas.
re: what i heard was calaguio was not part of the deal.confusiong huh..philstar sports section dated aug 16, 2007, there was a draft order under the headline of the result of the rookie camp.
well,google it and youll find so many articles about these rumors.
calaguio is still a beerman!
question:
who will coach the beermen?
if its siot, what will happen to chot?
lol…parang poem ah.hehe
the title of the article with draft order was
“DeVance looms as top PBA draft pick”
im a SMB fan.. gusto ko sana kunin nila si JC INTAL, para pg my isang malas sa san miguel, my ibang puputok.. dyan nmn si siegle,enrico,ildefonso,honteveros para sa rebound..sipagan lng nila.. pero bhala sila.. sila nakakaalam wats the team needed.. wala pa naman si pena for six months. at wag naman sana si calaguio isama sa trade ni fonacier. cablay,adriano n rodriguez na lng.. SAY NYO? hehe..PEACE!
what happened to pena?
puro nmn UAAP ang nakuha doug kramer YAK! dami nmn magaling mula NCAA prng palakasan yan.depende sa School pa!! sarap maglaro sa school ng mayayaman sure PBA pleyer ka!! BAGUHIN NA YAN!!!!!!!!!!!