WITH Vic Manuel traded, Alaska is now looking for a quality big man in the draft.
Head coach Jeff Cariaso said he hopes to find that gem at No. 6 with the pick acquired by the Aces in the trade that sent Manuel to Phoenix.
“We are looking for the best available big at No. 6,” Cariaso said.
That sixth pick overall in the March 14 draft was originally owned by Magnolia but was moved to Phoenix in the Calvin Abueva trade.
Cariaso said the Aces are already taking a close look at a few of the draftees in Santi Santillan, Larry Muyang, and Ben Adamos, who joined the team’s practice upon its invitation.
“All three are solid players. Right now, it boils down to preference,” said Cariaso.
While the focus is on the bigs in the first round, the Aces are also looking at other talents in the draft.
Cariaso mentioned former University of the Philippines cager David Murrell and Fil-foreigners Brian Enriquez and Taylor Browne.
Enriquez is a 6-foot-3 product of William Woods University, while Browne stands 6-foot-3. The Vancouver native playing college ball at University of British Columbia.
“Enriquez, Murrell, and Browne have worked out with us a couple of days each. Enriquez and Murrell both showed some very good skills while Browne, not too much because he is nursing a hamstring tightness,” said Cariaso.
Alaska also owns the No. 16 overall pick in the secondround courtesy of the Manuel deal as well as No. 21, a selection obtained in another Phoenix trade in 2019 that included Jake Pascual.
The Alaska coach said the team will also inviting Alec Stockton, Franky Johnson, Aljun Melecio, and James Laput in the coming days.
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