Everybody witnessed the circus (wait, I’m sorry, was thinking along the lines of KIA Kamao) that was dubbed the PBA Draft. Hey, mind you, we thought it was cool in the first round. In the first round. But after passing up on talents for homer picks? Man, we were floored, flabbergasted, went nuts, or worse. Anyway, we still have a job to do and grade their picks even if we know some of them won’t even get off the bench.
Globalport – Stanley Pringle, Anthony Semerad, Prince Caperal, John Pinto
Our two cents: My, my. Global Port acquitted itself well. For the first time in forever, they actually drafted SMARTLY. They needed a point guard, a back-up point guard, a big three and a big man. They got all their wants and needs without any fanfare and go home happy. And hey, Anthony Semerad can push Jay Wash to his PF spot where he is an absolute nightmare match-up wise. Or he can be a stretch four. Prince Caperal is suffering through a down year, but this guy is legit. John Pinto? Watch his games in the NCAA and let it speak for itself.
Grade: A
Rain or Shine – Jericho Cruz, Kevin Alas, Kevin Espinosa, Mike Gamboa
Our two cents: This Draft, Yeng Guiao vowed to establish a security agency. That he did. With panache. He knows Paul Lee walking out of the team is inevitable so what else do you do? Guiao took the best talents who can play combo guard (Kevin Alas and Jericho Cruz) and went for injury insurance in the diminutive Mike Gamboa. And having Alas on the ball is not bad at all. Nope. Not bad at all.
Grade: B+
San Miguel – Ronald Pascual
Our two cents: You get the third overall pick. You have Chris Banchero on board, yet you go for Ronald Pascual? Nothing against the last of the Pinatubo Trio to join the pro ranks, but he hasn’t been the same Pascual who can explode to the rim, in traffic and stuff that freaking hapless leather into the rim. He’s more of a shooter now who can drive to the rim when he wants to, though it’s very rare owing to his past ACL injury. Still, another talent-hoarding, what-the-hell pick from SMB. What can we expect from a team that has a recording “star” anyway?
Grade: D
NLEX – Matt Ganuelas Rosser
Our two cents: Well, you traded away your best scorer but then, you drafted your pick. You still win I guess. It would be a fun frontcourt with Rosser, Asi Taulava, Aldrech Ramos, etc. Not to mention exciting. Now, if they can have someone man the point not named Wynne Arboleda, we good!
Grade: B
Alaska – Chris Banchero, Rome Dela Rosa, Junjun Alas
Our two cents: Steal of the draft! Alaska was so ecstatic that they got to pick up Chris Banchero with the fifth pick (they knew he wasn’t going to be available but then, SMB acted like SMB) so head coach Alex Compton was more than happy to have the point guard on his boat. They followed it up with a solid pick of Rome Dela Rosa and could’ve gotten their next Cyrus Baguio in Jong Baloria but instead they got... Junjun Alas. Could’ve gotten A++ Alaska...
Grade: B++
Barangay Ginebra – Rodney Brondial
Our two cents: Barangay Ginebra totally trolled San Mig Coffee by taking their one and only favorite pick when they had the seventh overall. Rondey Brondial comes in as a great rebounder who is working on his 15-18 footer to keep defenses honest. This guy has a strong motor and a great nose for the ball. The crowd would totally feed off his energy.
Grade: A
Barako Bull – Philip Paredes, David Semerad, Jake Pascual, Philip Morrison, Gab Banal
Our two cents: Barako swung a trade as early as the third overall. Everyone wasn’t surprised and was probably ready to call it a night. Instead, it was a smart move after all. They got quality bigs like Papot Paredes, David Semerad and Jake Pascual. That should help them out from the get-go.
Grade: C+
Talk n’ Text – Harold Arboleda
Our two cents: The Texters could’ve gone for Jong Baloria. But they didn’t need scoring so what do they do? Get an ultimate glue guy and practically Harvey Carey 2.0. Not bad at all, coach Jong Uichico. With his motor, he wouldn’t get buried in the bench as he’s just mighty scrappy for a guy his size. You can’t help but play him.
Grade: B+
KIA – Manny and Rene Pacquiao, Kenneth Ighalo, Paolo Taha, Kyle Pascual, Francis Bercede, Mark Romero, Richard Cole, Victor Umali, Jeremy Bartolo, Anthony Gavieres
Our two cents: We’re not going with the Pacquiao picks as that turns the whole extravaganza into a circus. Ighalo, Taha, Romero and Kyle Pascual make up a good core to work and start with. So there’s that. But we’re utterly unimpressed by KIA Kamao.
Grade: C-
Blackwater – Juami Tiongson, Frank Golla, Brian Huruela, Maclean Sabellina, Juneric Baloria, Raul Soyud, Clark Bautista, Ford Ruaya, Michael Acuna, Jonathan Banal
Our two cents: Blackwater has constructed a team that is intent on winning and is now the proud owner of the best young wing combo in the PBA. Who would say no to Jong Baloria and Alex Nuyles running the break with Juami Tiongson? Not us! Having Tito Raul patrol the paint for the Elite is also a steal in the draft. Jonathan Banal would be the backup for Tiongson while Ford Ruaya will play bigger than his listed height. Let’s not dispense Brian Huruela too! That guy can play!
Grade: A+
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Editor’s note: Pio Garcia is a blogger for Philstar Unblogged Sports. His views do not reflect those of Philstar.com.