Shell may opt for big man in PBA draft

The recent lottery for next year’s No. 1 pick overall will have its effect on how the draft will go. With Shell winning the lottery, it is almost certain that a big man could go at No. 1.

Rich Alvarez and Ranidel de Ocampo, two members of the gold-winning national team to the Southeast Asian Games, could end up the top overall pick as the Turbo Chargers will certainly look to beef up its frontline, a problem of the team for a while now.

Shell has not named a head coach yet to replace Perry Ronquillo but Alvarez and de Ocampo are a cinch to end up with the No. 1 pick.

The one that is unpicked will most likely slide to No. 3, as Purefoods is intent on either injecting life into its offense with James Yap or shoring up its backcourt with Yap’s University of the East teammate Paul Artadi.

"We have problems with our backcourt but we also would want a James Yap in our team," said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

The draft will be held Jan. 16 after a rookie camp on Jan. 11. By that time, the Philippine Basketball Association board of governors will have a new set of officers as Sta. Lucia governor Buddy Encarnado assumes the chairmanship while San Miguel representative Bert Manlapit will be named vice-chairman. Shell’s Bobby Kanapi will be the treasurer of the board.

The officers will serve the entire transition tournament from February to September and will hold on to their positions when the new season begins October.

De Ocampo, Yap, Erwin Sotto and the other national team members expected to apply for the draft, have yet to declare their intentions mainly because they just arrived from Vietnam where they defended their SEA Games crown.

Gary David, a Philippine Basketball League (PBL) Most Valuable Player. is also expected to join the draft.

So far, only 13 have yet signified their intention to turn pro, led by Alvarez, the Ateneo forward known for his defense and rebounding. Blue Eagles teammate Wesley Gonzalez is also set to join the draft.

The slam-dunking Marc Pingris, also a national team mainstay, is expected to turn pro and is touted to go early in the first round. Far Eastern swingman Arwind Santos is reportedly eager to join the draft, too, and he will be a valuable pick. However, he is contemplating on finishing off his remaining years of eligibility with Far Eastern U.