Sydman’s Side Defect: THE 2008 PBA MOCK DRAFT

THE 2008 PBA MOCK DRAFT

My batting average is below .250… but I am still doing it.

Welcome to my favorite time of year. The new faces that would finish the season as a somebody… and we could also see the players that were left out high and dry.

Last year, Joe Devance pulled a rug on everyone when we saw him trying to shoot threes rather than trying to dominate the paint. Sta. Lucia surprised everyone by picking Ryan Reyes. Yes, all of the HooPh team are kissing the feet of reigning Top Rookie. Ronjay Buenafe was the other guy who averaged in double figures… but we were hoping JC Intal, Ken Bono, JR Quinahan were amongst the notables who could also break out on that feat. Sam Eman did not disappoint us though. We knew Magnolia would bench him… and we were dead-on.

From big time amateurs, they have become struggling hoopsters.

This year, another batch will have their spirits tormented.

GAME STARTS NOW!

THE FIRST ROUND

1. RAIN OR SHINE – GABE NORWOOD
This is one move the Dragons shouldn’t give up. With Norwood, the team will get a superstar. It will also give them a better chance to cross the .500 route. Norwood plays five positions and he’ll create mismatches in the smaller positions. This will also enable the Dragons to revamp the point guard spot, a position that lacked presence in their first years with the league.

2. TALK N TEXT – JARED DILLINGER
His entry will solve the team’s lack of slashers. Since, it’s sure that Chot Reyes will never use Renren Ritualo and Mac Cardona at the same time, his entry will create a run and gun mode that was dimmed hard to do with all the big men in their squad. Dillinger is fast, agile, and could create mismatches in the SF spot.

3. SAN MIGUEL – ROB REYES
When I was writing this, the thought of Magnolia reverting back to its San Miguel name made me giggly. Anyway, for a team overloaded with shooting guards, his entry could solve the void left when the Sam Eman – JC Intal trade takes place. A strong inside presence, he’ll use his foreign-bred skills to make a name for himself in the league. A slight setback perhaps is the team that picks this man, since San Miguel will likely bench the guy if he couldn’t deliver the goods the old reliables contribute.

4. TALK N TEXT – JASON CASTRO
Yes this was NOT the guy that placed fourth in last year’s American Idol but the guy that was signed by a then-Aussie based league. The 4-time PBL MVP has the ability to launch the shots that matter in a deafening pace. However, he’ll likely sit this season out depending on how the Singapore Slingers contract unfolds. Teams would think twice on using their pick on a guy they couldn’t use. Luckily TNT has already picked second so they can waste away their remaining first round choice.

5. ALASKA – SOLOMON MERCADO
Tim Cone should be pleased with this pick. Jeffrey Cariaso is playing on borrowed time and while the Jet can still fly, a future outlook could be something to ponder upon. The Harbour scorer could easily learn the triangle now that Cone is using the laxer version, mixing it with a run and gun feel to let Willie Miller do his game. Miller and Mercado in one team could make every Amerasian giggly.

6. AIR21 – MARK BORBORAN
I call this guy the little Arwind Santos. Although, I’ll guess that won’t be the part of the team’s frontline unless he begins to bulk up. After a strong UAAP showing, expect the UE forward to give their bench depth. This was what was lacking when they fought against Ginebra in the Fiesta Cup finals. Furthermore, he could learn some of the moves mastered by Homer Se (defensive gem with a pretty angry outlook)… with the bad side perhaps is his undying trip to the commissioner’s office trying to empty up his wallet.

7. PUREFOODS – ROBERT REYES
Not to be mistaken from the other Rob Reyes in the draft, this ex-Jacksonville University alum is one of the draft’s surprises. The guy is a half-breed… and has size. While the league is in great need of an Eric Menk prototype, a Mike Hrabak (defensive guy that shoots 3’s) type could be a good choice as well. This is one of the main reasons why you should expect him in the first round.

8. AIR21 – PONG ESCOBAL
I could be ranking him high but there are a ton of reasons why I placed him as the top guard to be picked here. First of all, look at what I’ll be writing for Sta. Lucia. Second is, Air21 is the recognized farm team of TNT players. Since San Beda coach Frankie Lim is also the team manager of TNT, he’ll likely end up with the Pals. He is a large guard also, his leadership has been one of the keys for San Beda’s dominance in the NCAA and although he needs more seasoning, I expect him to become a good backup to any team he’ll play for.

9. RED BULL – KELVIN DELA PENA
Here is another player who could use more seasoning in the PBL. Dela Pena can get the stats in all five main areas but one could wonder if his size could work. He is too slow for the PG spot and too small for the SG/SF. If a SMC team drafts him, I think he’s better off playing in the PBL. This is where the wonderful tutelage of Yeng Guiao steps in. He’ll hone his skills just as how he honed Lordy Tugade, Junthy Valenzuela, Leo Najorda, and Cyrus Baguio. One thing that’s working for the NCAA MVP is that he is crafty and very hard-working on defense, which will Guiao drool to get his services.

10. STA. LUCIA – TY TANG
Yes, this is the part where you’ll wonder why Tang is ranked low in this mock draft. The DLSU star fits this team nicely. He’ll play for an ex-player that admires players who can showcase excellent PG skills. He will also be reunited with Joseph Yeo, so the Xavier/DLSU connection will continue in the pros. Denok Miranda is getting much of SLR’s PG minutes and while he gets the job done on defense, he barely contributes on offense. Surely a point with scoring abilities could make SLR better.

THE SECOND ROUND

11. TALK N TEXT – JONATHAN FERNANDEZ
Yes, this is a pick doomed to be benched. While picking another guard seems worthless, this is far better than overloading TNT anew with centers. After finishing his career with NU and after playing for the country via the RP-Harbour Centre team, Fernandez would likely shore up the star-studded Pals’ bench. However, he is a different dimension from Ritualo and Cardona who are both inclined to play offense than defense.

12. RAIN OR SHINE – BEAU BELGA
One of the youngest players in the draft, again this is another player that needs further seasoning. Yes, he has been a PBL standout but he could develop his offensive game more. One of the factors for his entry is PCU’s leave of absence in the NCAA. He is a hard-nosed defender which reminds me of Wilmer Ong. However his game could evolve. The Dragons need a big time presence that I doubt he’ll solve but he could easily improve upon.

13. SAN MIGUEL – FORD ARAO
Here’s another pick that would likely end up in some commercial league that’s not in the PBA. This should happen if he really likes to play basketball… otherwise, he could just run a business. Arao played commercial ball for San Mig Coffee after a stint with the Ateneo Blue Eagles. His frontman skills is somewhat limited and I wouldn’t doubt if he ends up as a mere enforcer in the league. But he shows flashes of brilliance every now and then. If he can do this consistently, he can score five minutes of playing time for the neck-deep SMB bench.

14. COCA-COLA – BONBON CUSTODIO
Remember that Game 2 where he allegedly flopped his game to get a rich sum of dough? While that could be true, there’s no doubt that Custodio is a player with great potential. After playing multiple seasons for the UE Warriors, the pint-sized quarterback is ready to change the way critics see him. Sure, a PBL stint lessened his popularity but Coca-Cola has been notorious for getting infamous players and making them good in the process. Two drafts ago they used their pick to get ex-Letran star player Ronjay Enrile and last year they picked up Ronjay Buenafe which turned out to be a good choice. With Alex Cabagnot being the sole PG of the team, his entry could spell a different look in the Tigers’ backcourt.

15. ALASKA – PATRICK CABAHUG
It was 18 years ago or something when the then-Milkmen selected Elmer Cabahug as their draft pick. He turned out to be a feared shooter and his daggers produced victorious campaigns for the Milkmen, Hotdogs, and the Realtors in his decade-long PBA stint. With his loins developed son Patrick, a second generation player that inherited his father’s touch from the outside. While Alaska could be bad spot for the young Cabahug to be in, the Adamson Falcon should be the Roehl Gomez-prototype that Tim Cone has been yearning to have. Fact is, Cabahug is not only a gifted scorer but a capable defensive player as well.

16. AIR21 EXPRESS – JEFF CHAN
Chan has played for the SMC’s PBL team before switching to Harbour Centre and his withdrawal from last year’s draft greatly improved his game. He developed defense apart from his offense although I doubt he’ll create impact. If picked at 16, this is a downgrade for the FEU stalwart but the Express could use another off-guard if and when they decide on the rumored trade and yes, he’ll get minutes as in the Air21 jersey.

17. PUREFOODS – KELVIN GREGORIO
While I hate to disagree to Chrisangelo’s statement, UE players fail miserably if they are picked in the later stages of the second round. Last year, RJ Masbang was picked and in 2006, Ollan Omiping got the nod and other than Nino Canaleta, no UE player has stood out since the draft changed its format in 2005 (did you know Paolo Hubalde was picked in the first round)? I can’t say this would likely be their pick but I am hoping I will get it right on this selection. While the Giants gravely need scorers, the best shooters might have gone to other teams. Gregorio is perhaps one of the safest picks left in the draft. At 6’4, he’ll be a great find to work in that SG/SF area. Dindo Pumaren’s captain in last year’s 14-0 runner up UE squad can hit the side jumpers while providing perimeter defense. Also, he could use his name to score pseudo-nepotism on Coach Ryan…

18. BRGY. GINEBRA – CHOLO VILLANUEVA
With the 18th pick of the draft, the fan favorites might either opt for Cholo Villanueva. Again, any player picked by the Kings will likely end up as Macky Escalona’s bench buddy. Villanueva is a tactician though. This guy has the ability to read through his opponent’s psyche and he is not afraid to knock those important shots. He currently is one of Franz Pumaren’s trusted wards. I guess if you like to sit on the bench, it’s better if you make that stint productive.

19. RED BULL – LARRY RODRIGUEZ
I am certain none of you would even think of putting this guy in the draft. First up he hails from the Philippine Maritime Institute and he has been a journeyman in the PBL. He currently plays and topscores for the Pampanga Buddies, a team that boasts a certain guy named Jared Dillinger. However, if there’s one thing PBA teams should know is that not all great players come from the UAAP, NCAA, or abroad. Some of the names that have popped up like Gary David, Ronjay Buenafe, Chico Lanete, and Reed Juntilla made their names in the PBL. Rodriguez is no exception. Guiao would love a player who could post, rebound, and block and still hit the outside shots.

20. STA. LUCIA – NESTOR DAVID
I am not a fan of Kevin Dalafu. I want to give this spot for Mark Yee but I think he’ll be more effective as a free agent player. Now, Nestor David has sadly placed out of the spotlight after graduating from UP a couple of years back. He currently plays for Air21’s farm team Burger King who could pick him up if there aren’t any credible players left in the draft. David should stick close to Melvin Mamaclay and Philip Butel in the practice player spot but the guy has credible post up moves that Dennis Espino and Norman Gonzales could hone. The problem lies on his size. He needs to bulk to lord over the competition in the PBA which is only likely if he doesn’t get too star-stricken.

OTHER POSSIBILITIES

MARK YEE – He leads the Liga in scoring and his Pagadian Explorers has a shot to clinch the first ever Liga Filipina title. However, the fact that he has played for talent-lacking third-rate tourneys makes his grades dubious. I doubt if he could use his 6’3 frame to become a PBA star. It’s best for him to play outside the draft so he could choose which team would suit his services.

KEVIN DALAFU – He is a Fil-German… and I don’t care. The only foreign-bred hoop stars that matter are those that are Fil-Ams and now they are rare with all the papers needed to be filled. He hasn’t been dominant in the PBL to make a serious impact. Now you might ask that Mike Holper was like him. Well, Holper has size and in the PBL he was showing signs of brilliance. Dalafu is lucky to be picked early.

MARK CUEVAS – This guy is 6’6 and deemed as a surprise. Good luck with your citizenship because this could be your ticket out of unknown-ness. He played for Wang’s in the really, really commercial leagues but if this guy was good, then why is his name not getting the publicity Jared Dillinger is getting. This is to think that Dillinger is mainly a supplementary player in Liga’s Pampanga…

LAWRENCE BONUS – He is the tallest of all applicant which is usually the case if you come from the St. Francis College. If he makes the PBA, he’ll likely be a) an excellent St. Francis Doves alum like Ranidel de Ocampo, b) a could-be top player if given a chance like Yancy de Ocampo, c) a player that has the chances but couldn’t make it like Ervin Sotto, or d) a player that ended up playing outside of the PBA like Derrick Canlas. He could be an e)… but Chris Pacana doesn’t play frontcourt.

CHRISTIAN CABATU – A name could definitely give you power. However, not in his case. His brother Jun-Jun, was clearly the better one in their family but look at him, eating the dust of Tim Cone’s shoes whenever he paces the Alaska bench. He has size though and… that could mean something…

I want to give this spot to UP’s Nestor David but I think this pick should suit Mark Yee. Yee is something you’ll see playing for weak-ass leagues but he has been showing that he could have the makings of a good SG/SF. Of course, the main thing we’ll have to ponder is if his game could work in the pros. In the cross-country tournaments, he plays the frontline spot. At 6’3, you’ll get mauled in the inside

This ends the MOCK DRAFT!

RPN… 7PM… WATCH MY PREDICTIONS UNFOLD!!!