Continued from the "mock" Gilas draft...
Now this is where it gets exciting. After the announcement of the Gilas draftees comes the regular draft. Forty-three signed up for the regular draft (the Gilas boys still needed to apply for the draft for formality, eventually increasing this year's draft class to 55 members), but 41 were given the green light to continue. While the Elite have locked in Belo, there were questions on who ends up as the first pick of the regular draft, making this one interesting to watch.
Now this is where it gets exciting. After the announcement of the Gilas draftees comes the regular draft. Forty-three signed up for the regular draft (the Gilas boys still needed to apply for the draft for formality, eventually increasing this year's draft class to 55 members), but 41 were given the green light to continue. While the Elite have locked in Belo, there were questions on who ends up as the first pick of the regular draft, making this one interesting to watch.
1. Blackwater-Raphy Banal
While doing this one, a report came in that Blackwater will select Raphy (or Ael as per how we knew him during his high school days) Banal first overall. Well, even if that report did not surface, this writer surely believes Banal will be Pick 1. Thanks to some US basketball experience and a bright showing in the draft combine during midweek, the son of Coach Joel Banal has really made a strong case.
Sleeper: none-The report claims the Elite are locked in with Banal, anyway.
2. Phoenix-Gelo Alolino
With Phoenix's reported Gilas pick a winger, the "point guard or big man" option remains open. But with the next best player available a point guard, time for the Fuel Masters to lure him
Sleeper: Chris Javier-The PBA's official press release says Phoenix also eyes Javier.
3. Ginebra-Jonathan Grey
Like the writer mentioned, Ginebra sticking with Ferrer could be a good move since the team looks to bolster its wing spots, but with Ferrer also expected not to be released immediately, the club can go for Jonathan Grey.
Sleeper: Ryan Arambulo and Joseph Eriobu
4. Mahindra-Chris Javier
Coach Chris Gavina told this writer that Mahindra looks for a forward. While Javier played more of a center during his amateur days, his good perimeter stroke can make him fit for the 4 or even the 3 spot on a tall-ball lineup.
Sleeper: Arambulo and Rashawn McCarthy
5. Star-Ryan Arambulo
Star fans claim the team needs a big guy, but with the best big man in the regular draft, Javier, likely to be gone after four picks, the club can go for a backup plan: look for a winger. The flashy Arambulo could fit the Purefoods team. Another thing: this writer thinks the Hotshots need more of the best guy available than position.
Sleeper: Jammer Jamito-If Coach Jason Webb listens to the fan clamor, Jamito can fit the bill, although the fact that he's undersized could prompt him to play more of a wingman.
6. San Miguel-Joseph Eriobu
Well, the Beermen are required to join the first and the second rounds (unless they gave up their picks for the said rounds), but with their lineup, one may ask, "Do they even need to join this year's draft?" They have the number six pick, and they can "experiment" with Eriobu especially with Arwind Santos now at the twilight of his career.
Sleeper: Jamito and McCarthy
7. Meralco-Rashawn McCarthy
Meralco has been experimenting 6-foot-2 Chris Newsome to play point guard, and it reaped benefits as the high-flyer helped lift the team to its first PBA Finals appearance. The Bolts can go for another "big point guard" and select McCarthy
Sleeper: Eriobu and Jamito-Bolstering the frontline could be a good option.
8. NLEX-Jammer Jamito
Like I mentioned, Yeng Guiao can make the most unlikely of guys into weapons of mass destruction. Enter Jammer Jamito, the player who some claim as the sleeper of all sleepers. He may not end up as a star, but he can be a very effective player under Coach Yeng.
Sleeper: Levi Hernandez, Jamil Ortuoste, Mikee Reyes, Achie Iñigo, McJour Luib, Jan Jamon, Jaycee Asuncion, Jeoff Javillonar, Jericho De Guzman, Paolo Pontejos, and Jovit Dela Cruz-Like I mentioned, Yeng Guiao can make the most unlikely of guys into weapons of mass destruction. If neither of these guys make the first round, expect the Road Warriors to choose from either of them in the second round, or the so-called "Yeng Guiao round".
9. Rain Or Shine-Mikee Reyes
With Paul Lee gone, ROS now lacks a scoring point guard. With Alolino, who is actually more of a traditional quarterback, likely gone at this point, the Elasto Painters can go for Mikee Reyes in this one.
Sleeper: Jamil Ortuoste-While Ortuoste plays more of a 2, Coach Caloy Garcia can opt to shift him to the 1. Not to mention he played under Garcia with Racal.
10. Ginebra-Levi Hernandez
Only Ginebra and Phoenix have more than one first rounders, so they can further experiment in the draft. Like in this writer's explanation for Grey, the wing stability could play a factor for this one.
Sleeper: Jericho De Guzman-Why not? De Guzman is already participating in Ginebra practices, and finally making the final roster can be a dream come true for him.
11. Alaska-Jericho De Guzman
The last time Alaska took the risk of acquiring a big man about as tall as Jericho De Guzman, that guy ended up getting a lot of DNP's. Since the Aces are insisting on going for a center, they can go for De Guzman here. After all, they have nothing to lose with their core still intact.
Sleeper: Jeoff Javillonar-He can be a solid backup to Vic Manuel.
12. Phoenix-Jeoff Javillonar
With the point guard vacancy likely to be addressed with Alolino, Phoenix can add another NU Bulldog to the lineup in big man Javillonar. The only concern is that Javillonar is undersized to play even the 4, so shifting down to the 3 is very likely for him.
Sleeper: Jessie Saitanan-Although a likely second rounder, the Fuel Masters can go for him in the first round if they need more of a legit big.
Disclaimer: The views of this writer does not reflect the views of Dugout Philippines.
Sleeper: Levi Hernandez, Jamil Ortuoste, Mikee Reyes, Achie Iñigo, McJour Luib, Jan Jamon, Jaycee Asuncion, Jeoff Javillonar, Jericho De Guzman, Paolo Pontejos, and Jovit Dela Cruz-Like I mentioned, Yeng Guiao can make the most unlikely of guys into weapons of mass destruction. If neither of these guys make the first round, expect the Road Warriors to choose from either of them in the second round, or the so-called "Yeng Guiao round".
9. Rain Or Shine-Mikee Reyes
With Paul Lee gone, ROS now lacks a scoring point guard. With Alolino, who is actually more of a traditional quarterback, likely gone at this point, the Elasto Painters can go for Mikee Reyes in this one.
Sleeper: Jamil Ortuoste-While Ortuoste plays more of a 2, Coach Caloy Garcia can opt to shift him to the 1. Not to mention he played under Garcia with Racal.
10. Ginebra-Levi Hernandez
Only Ginebra and Phoenix have more than one first rounders, so they can further experiment in the draft. Like in this writer's explanation for Grey, the wing stability could play a factor for this one.
Sleeper: Jericho De Guzman-Why not? De Guzman is already participating in Ginebra practices, and finally making the final roster can be a dream come true for him.
11. Alaska-Jericho De Guzman
The last time Alaska took the risk of acquiring a big man about as tall as Jericho De Guzman, that guy ended up getting a lot of DNP's. Since the Aces are insisting on going for a center, they can go for De Guzman here. After all, they have nothing to lose with their core still intact.
Sleeper: Jeoff Javillonar-He can be a solid backup to Vic Manuel.
12. Phoenix-Jeoff Javillonar
With the point guard vacancy likely to be addressed with Alolino, Phoenix can add another NU Bulldog to the lineup in big man Javillonar. The only concern is that Javillonar is undersized to play even the 4, so shifting down to the 3 is very likely for him.
Sleeper: Jessie Saitanan-Although a likely second rounder, the Fuel Masters can go for him in the first round if they need more of a legit big.
Disclaimer: The views of this writer does not reflect the views of Dugout Philippines.
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