Sleepers or yawners? - SPORTING CHANCE by Joaquin M. Henson

There’s a difference between a sleeper and a yawner. In basketball lingo, a sleeper is an unheralded player with the potential to become a star – in other words, a diamond in the rough. A yawner, in contrast, is a player who turns out to be a dud – sometimes, called a lemon.

In last Sunday’s Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft, there were 48 players of 57 applicants picked. Teams went up to the sixth round and left only nine out in the cold. Undrafted were Cesar Hernandez (the oldest in the pool at 31), Isagani Tablan (the shortest at 5-5 1/2), Alvin Yu, Rolando Pascual, Orlando Torrente, Woodrow Enriquez, Michael Manigo, Rafael Santos, Jr., and Oliver Bunyi.

From the original list of applicants, stricken out were Tristan Codamon (failed to obtain clearance from the Philippine Basketball League), Edgar Echavez (withdrew), and six Fil-foreigners who couldn’t get Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmation – Jason Henkey, Ken Gumpenberger, Jeffrey Manebo, Chris Clark, Dennis Ducusin, and Francis Rauschmayer.

Two Fil-Ams barely beat the deadline. Kenny Evans’ application for Bureau of Immigration (BI) recognition was initially turned down but the DOJ overruled the denial in an order dated last Jan. 9. David Friedhof also got his confirmation under similar circumstances.

Of the 48 draftees, 28 came from the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA). Four of the 10 first round picks are MBA veterans – Gilbert Demape, Francis Adriano, Norman Gonzales, and Joey Mente.
Top pick Willie Miller of Olongapo was all smiles after Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao announced the Thunder’s choice. Guiao said he expects Miller to make an immediate impact as a starter.

Red Bull’s Jimwell Torion was a surprise show at the draft. Red Bull executive George Balagtas had earlier reported that Torion underwent surgery for a dislocated shoulder last Friday. Balagtas explained that Torion decided to postpone the operation until next Friday because he wanted to attend the draft.

No-shows included Kenneth Duremdes, Bong Hawkins, Danny Seigle, Danny Ildefonso, and Jason Webb. Rodney Santos came late.

Before emcee Noli Eala opened the program at the Quad Glorietta in Makati, player agent Danny Espiritu and Alaska coach Tim Cone were engaged in a heated discussion near the Aces table. Obviously, they talked about Alaska’s offers for free agents Duremdes and Hawkins who are Espiritu’s clients.

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Tanduay was the valedictorian of the draft as new coach Derick Pumaren picked nine players – Victor Agapito, Recaredo Calimag, Charles de Jesus, Joseph Allen Salangsang, Dominic Uy, Maoi Roca, Jay Magat, Friedhof, and Michael Robinson. No other team had more draftees. Four of Tanduay’s nine picks trace their roots to La Salle schools. Agapito played for College of St. Benilde, de Jesus for La Salle High in Australia, and Uy and Roca for the Archers in the UAAP. Of course, Pumaren is from La Salle, too.

Unlikely high choice Mark Caguioa stole the thunder from Miller when he was picked third overall by Barangay Ginebra. Apparently, he was kept under wraps as the draft’s biggest steal. Mobiline tried desperately to snatch Caguiao by bidding for Shell’s No. 2 overall slot but the Turbo Chargers wouldn’t bite.

The word is Caguioa was scouted by Ginebra consultant Ron Jacobs’ pal Paul Howard in Los Angeles and got a thumbs-up rating. He arrived from the US last Saturday and was whisked to a Ginebra practice late that same day. A Ginebra insider described him as a bigger version of Willie Miller.

Curiously, the 6-1 guard was the last to apply for the draft. He sent in his application by fax. His agent is Filipino Chiqui de la Rosa who is based in Los Angeles. Caguioa, 21, was born in San Juan. He was a star at Eagle Rock High and Glendale Community College before deciding to turn pro.

Aside from Caguioa, Ginebra tapped a pair of big bodies, both named Marlon – 6-7 Marlon Basco and 6-5 Marlon Piodo. Ginebra was the first team to pass, opting to back off starting the fourth round.

Another sleeper, de Jesus, saw action for the Penrith Panthers in an Australian minor league before playing at Western Wyoming, an NCAA Division I junior college. He said his Australian coach Ken Cole recommended him to play at Western Wyoming. The six-foot de Jesus weighs a solid 195 pounds and looks strong as a bull.

A no-show was Michael Hrabak who according to sources, plays like James Wallkvist and looks like Elvis Presley. The 6-7 forward from Central Arizona College failed to report to Shell’s practice yesterday and was missing in action. Where he is, nobody seems to know. Another no-show was Peter Jun Simon who was chosen by Sta. Lucia in the fifth round.

Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo said he was surprised to find John Arigo still around when the Aces took their turn in the first round. Picking Arigo was a no-brainer, he added. Sure enough, Arigo was spectacular in his first Alaska practice yesterday. Cone reportedly said Arigo could step into Alaska’s starting lineup right away.

Alaska also selected Kenny Evans who’d practiced twice with the Aces before the draft so Cone knew what he got. Evans was the 18th pick overall and could be another steal. Remember that Ato Agustin was a second round draft pick, too, and he became an MVP.

It remains to be seen who among the draftees will stick when the PBA’s 27th season opens on Jan. 28.