Sydman’s Side Defect: THE 2008 PBA DRAFT COVERAGE

2008 PBA DRAFT COVERAGE

I wanted to finalize my MOCK DRAFT but with the draft order inaccessible until Sunday, I thought of skipping it altogether and proceed to the DRAFT PROPER. Yes, 45 hopefuls are trying to claim a spot in the league’s 2008-09 list of talents but only 25 of these players would make the draft. We knew that Rain or Shine will select Norwood and TNT will exercise its rights to claim big names. For every player, team, and fan, it’s the lower-ranked selections that raise eyebrows. We have seen the likes of Paolo Hubalde, Aaron Aban, Boyet Bautista, and Mark Isip up top the draft order but none of those players really deserved to be in such draft highness.

The stars will debut. Another set of shock troopers will enter.

Time to play another session of talent roulette.

7:00pm – 7:30pm: Wow. When Solar said they’ll revamp the PBA’s look, they REALLY revamped the PBA’s look. By the way, I saw Red Bull picking three straight second round picks… I doubt that they’ll use all of their picks. I like the way that they went directly with the prospects and I like the way that I have yet to see a singer, dancer, or…

7:30pm – 8:00pm: I spoke to soon. Amongst the first three performances, Ryan Reyes’ prayer, ranks first amongst all. Come on PBA, you are not that old! The country is no hip-hop nation! I rather hear Cueshe or Shamrock than Mocha! I’ll also partly blame Mocha for raising the adrenalin of Commish Sonny Barrios… this is another sleepy speech… BUT WAIT! He acknowledged his long speech! OH MY GHULAY, A QUICK SPEECH!!! Basically the commish said to the rookies that if they spew evil, he’ll get their asses. He also asked the players to be friendly… which will definitely make them popular… to the provincial crowd. CS has the capacity to make the PBA good. Barrios also said people mistake James Yap with Mac Cardona. That sucks for Cardona…

By the way, I like the WWE-sounding “PBA” music.

Sonny Barrios didn’t bore the proceedings and Tony Chua just got a trophy with no speech. I like CS right now. I also like that they really cloned the way the NBA do their draft. Next year, I think CS would change this up a bit.

I also like the way they placed the broadcast after My MVP…

RATINGS SCHEME:

STARLET – EXCELLENT CHOICE
SOLO ACT – VERY SATISFACTORY
GRO – SATISFACTORY
WAITRESS – YOU CAN DO BETTER
PARKING ATTENDANT – YOU HAVE NO LIFE

DRAFT PROPER

THE FIRST ROUND:

1. RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS – GABE NORWOOD

THE!?!?! When Welcoat lost and lost and lost, they hoped to find a star player. They got what they wanted and Norwood could definitely fill all their gaps. Especially in the PG spot… this team desperately sucks on that spot. He’s a sure pick for Top Rookie in this team… that is, he gives them at least a couple of wildcard moments.

SUGGESTED PICK: NORWOOD
RATING: STARLET
SCORECARD: 1/1

2. TNT PHONEPALS – JARED DILLINGER

Dillinger solves TNT’s lack of SF goodness. An SF that stands 6’5 would very much be TNT’s answer for Danny Seigle. He has speed, size, and versatility… everything that would make Chot Reyes giggly. He’ll also get a surprisingly huge chunk of minutes. Why? Pick Three is next.

SUGGESTED PICK: DILLINGER
RATING: STARLET
SCORECARD: 2/2

3. TNT PHONEPALS (FROM SAN MIGUEL) – JASON CASTRO

So TNT has three first round picks? Three straight first round picks? Castro’s entry will take Jimmy Alapag’s minutes. Castro gives steady points and steady orchestrations at the PG spot. However, Castro could be playing in Singapore at this point. He was absent at the event and one could wonder whether he’ll play this season. San Miguel on the other hand, will be happy getting Jay Washington. Washington is a big shooting forward like Danny Seigle. With Danny Ildefonso also out at the start of the season, Washington’s entry could do wonders in their aging frontline.

SUGGESTED PICK: CASTRO
RATING: SOLO ACT
SCORECARD: 3/3

4. TNT PHONEPALS – ROB REYES

Reyes will have a tough time getting minutes from a squad loaded with big men. However, all of TNT’s big men thrive in the PF spot with the exemption of Yancy De Ocampo. Eric Reyes’ nephew could have a moment to shine here since Chot Reyes has no confidence on The Postman.

SUGGESTED PICK: REYES
RATING: SOLO ACT
SCORECARD: 4/4

5. ALASKA ACES – SOLOMON MERCADO

I am 5 out of 5 this early!

YEAH!

Like I said, Mercado will be the team’s next Jeff Cariaso. Could play point and SG and could be a tolerable player at SF if Tim Cone decides to do a three-guard scenario. Cone could have gunned for Borboran but Mercado’s entry should make their Amerasian connection (Willie Miller) invulnerable.

SUGGESTED PICK: MERCADO
RATING: STARLET
SCORECARD: 5/5

6. AIR21 EXPRESS – MARK BORBORAN

Borboran has size, something that Air21 needs to address. With Ervin Sotto and Homer Se as the only clear inside operators, Borboran’s entry could help the Express’ cause. The Express gets a player with size and speed. Like I said earlier, I call this guy a baby version of Arwind Santos. I doubt though if his selection is enough to solve their frontline woes.

SUGGESTED PICK: BORBORAN
RATING: SOLO ACT
SCORECARD: 6/6

7. PUREFOODS GIANTS - BEAU BELGA

Hmmm… interesting choice because I did not see this coming. Perhaps with Romel Adducul’s status, the former PCU Dolphin could get adequate playing time. I don’t think it’s a good choice but I hope Purefoods use him. Belga is also young and raw… something that could either work or spell doom for his future.

SUGGESTED PICK: DELA PENA
RATING: SOLO ACT
SCORECARD: 6/7

8. SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN – BONBON CUSTODIO

Ows? This guy made the first round? I was thinking he’ll be in the second round because he had been quiet for a year or so (or after that game-throwing controversy). So this must be Olsen Racela’s new project especially now that he is nearing retirement. Anyway, after that UAAP debacle, Custodio needs a team that could re-start his erstwhile-halted career. Although I knew SMB would get a guard, I thought they’ll be getting either Escobal or Tang.

SUGGESTED PICK: BELGA
RATING: GRO
SCORECARD: 6/8

9. RED BULL BARAKOS – LARRY RODRIGUEZ

DAMMIT I LOVE THIS PICK! He is a legitimate big man with a lot of skills! Red Bull looks for star players, and I think Rodriguez could have a shot with Yeng Guiao mentoring him. Remember Ronjay Buenafe, the unknown guy from a third-rate collegiate league? I thought he’ll be in the second round but I really, really love this! I know RB is going to get him for sure but I never thought he’d be selected in the first round!

SUGGESTED PICK: CABAHUG
RATING: STARLET
SCORECARD: 6/9

10. STA. LUCIA REALTORS – KELVIN GREGORIO

I did not expect Gregorio to BE in the first round. Well, I did not expect THREE UE Warriors in the first round! While I rather want SLR to get a guard, it just came to my attention that the Realtors are looking for players to rest their aging post-up vets. I doubt that Gregorio would be happy playing in the post because I see him actually as a player that would settle for mid-range jumpers and I think he needs to re-learn his basketball in order to be an inside threat.

SUGGESTED PICK: TANG
RATING: GRO
SCORECARD: 6/10

SECOND ROUND:

11. TNT PHONEPALS – PONG ESCOBAL

TNT, is lion-dancing! Finally, another right answer! And finally, another Lion that would play under the Pangalinan-backed franchise. No surprise here, although Escobal’s entry to the draft is really surprising since he could have stuck a bit longer in the PBL. With Jimmy Alapag, Donbel Belano, Kelani Ferreria, and now Jason Castro, the Pals are overloaded with PG’s. Cardona could also play point so I guess two of these guys could wind up in the free agent pool.

SUGGESTED PICK: TANG
RATING: GRO
SCORECARD: 7/11

12. RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS – TY TANG

Tang was expected to be in the first round but this is another player that could help Rain or Shine. He loves to play in tumultuous situations. If Caloy Garcia tries to put Norwood as a SG, then Tang could be a good starting PG for the Elasto Painters. Great pickup by the Painters (bad team moniker though. Ugh… elasto painters?!?!)

SUGGESTED PICK: ARAO
RATING: SOLO ACT
SCORECARD: 7/12

13. AIR21 EXPRESS – CHOLO VILLANUEVA

Not good. Sure, Villanueva is an intense player but he is not flashy and has less lateral movement. This pick was early too early. There are other good shooters or slashers left in the draft that could give Air21 better contributions than Villanueva. I doubt he’ll be offensive-minded in the PBA. This selection was synonymous to Pop Cola’s selection of Mon Jose. The guy was picked up to coach and conduct drills! Jude pointed out that this guy got injured doing a free throw? Not good.

SUGGESTED PICK: CUSTODIO
RATING: WAITRESS
SCORECARD: 7/13

14. STA. LUCIA REALTORS – CHITO JAIME

Oh no. Tell me this was a joke. This is definitely not a star name. And although I loved the Rodriguez selection, I cringed at this guy. This was the same team that took Melvin Mamaclay in the early second round last year. He has size for one thing and was a star in a minor-league college team like AMA. He played for Toyota-Otis. But I would have wanted the Realtors to train Mamaclay and Butel or take a cannon fodder big guy than get another less-than-stellar big guy.

SUGGESTED PICK: FERNANDEZ
RATING: PARKING ATTENDANT
SCORECARD: 7/14

15. ALASKA ACES – KELVIN DELA PENA

“Dela Pena’s selection to the Aces is a gift”, rightfully said by Jude Turcuato. The former NCAA MVP has a knack to scrape stat points in a given pace. I doubt he’ll be playing prominently for the Aces but his entry could spell danger for Aaron Aban, Ariel Capus, and even Larry Fonacier. Dela Pena could have a better standing if he waited a year or so in the minors. This was the same team that foregone using Bono, Quinahan, Cabatu, and Aban. Great pick for Alaska, bad landing for Dela Pena.

SUGGESTED PICK: BONUS
RATING: GRO
SCORECARD: 7/15

16. PUREFOODS GIANTS – JONATHAN FERNANDEZ

A lethal scorer from NU that also played for the Harbour National Team. It’s crazy he’s picked in the latter part of the draft but the Giants could use his skills with Noy Castillo retiring. Actually Rey Evangelista is also retiring so this means space in the Purefoods’ roster. With Omanzie Rodriguez, Ardy Larong, Rob Sanz, and Richard Yee providing Giants depth, expect Fernandez to be a chief reliever at the SF spot.

SUGGESTED PICK: GREGORIO
RATING: GRO
SCORECARD: 7/16

17. RED BULL BARAKOS – JEFF CHAN

I get another right answer! The FEU hotshot withdrew his application last year with hopes to get a first round selection this year. Problem is 1) he’s in the second round, and 2) Red Bull has an abundance of SG’s (Baguio, Duncil, Juntilla). Chan could provide the 3-pointing goodness for Yeng Guiao but I think he’ll move to the main roster slowly.

SUGGESTED PICK: CHAN
RATING: GRO
SCORECARD: 8/17

18. RED BULL – MARK CUEVAS

This guy has size. At 6’6, Guiao needs this guy to dominate the middle. Aside from his Wangs’ stint. I doubt he did anything worthy for research. While I don’t see anything terrific in his appearance, he could be the draft’s biggest stunner.

SUGGESTED PICK: RODRIGUEZ
RATING: GRO
SCORECARD: 8/18

19. RED BULL –

You know this would happen when Red Bull got three straight selections in the second round. Remember last year when the Barakos traded for a second round choice to Purefoods but when they were about to choose they passed off on picking? While Red Bull is a team that yearns for out-of-the-box players, Guiao is not a coach that would draft a player so that player wouldn’t cry afterwards. That job is for those “believers” that placed them in such predicament.

SUGGESTED PICK: VILLANUEVA
RATING: N/A
SCORECARD: 8/19

20. STA. LUCIA REALTORS – CHRISTIAN CABATU

This ex-Benilde is a great pick for the Realtors although I rather pick him in that 14th spot so that Sta. Lucia would go and pick the best talent that they will save for the undrafted free agent pool. Junjun Cabatu is a far better player but he is stuck in a hellhole we call the Alaska bench. This Cabatu will get all the minutes he could possibly have but he needs to put his game into heart. This is also the Cabatu that missed out most of his college career because he would rather do something else than concentrate in the hardcourt.

SUGGESTED PICK: YEE
RATING: N/A
SCORECARD: 8/20

UNDRAFTED

Notable names that weren’t picked up were Adamson’s Patrick Cabahug, Pagadian’s Mark Yee, UP’s Nestor David, St. Francis’ Lawrence Bonus, Fil-German Kevin Dalafu, and UST’s Christian Espiritu. Another player absent was Clifford Arao – a player that could have been a potential first rounder because of the size constraints of the draft.

Bad day for Fil-Germans too. Dillinger was the only player that got the nod (because he is just part-German). Patrick Cabahug is another Adamson shooter that failed to be picked. Others from the past include Mark Abadia. Mark Agustin and Paul Gonzalgo are players that must do well in the PBL to survive the big league entrance. The Coca-Cola Tigers could use Yee or Espiritu as one of their third stringers while Cabahug could be a player that Ginebra, Rain or Shine or Purefoods could pick up.

Now that there are players, team balance would be their next assignment. How would their off-season turn out?

Until then, SURF PORN!