THE PBA Season 49 Draft on Sunday had 48 players being picked by the 12 teams, which are definitely hoping that they can improve for the coming season with the new talent they have acquired.
We evaluate how the teams fared in the draft by grading their choices. Did they win or lose in the draft? We encourage you to also make an assessment of your own through our comment section.
CONVERGE – A+
By getting Justine Baltazar at No. 1, Converge is already a winner by beefing up its roster with one of the top young bigs of this time. Though Baltazar will still finish his contract with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, it is difficult to pass on the versatility that the reigning MPBL MVP can bring.
The FiberXers became even bigger and heftier later in the draft by selecting Ben Phillips and Paolo Javillonar in the second round, a key to a team that has been longing for height to support Justin Arana.
RAIN OR SHINE – A+
With no more legitimate centers during their turn, the Elasto Painters secured the next best thing by selecting a power forward in Caelan Tiongson at No. 7, while also getting a potential steal in the draft in Felix Lemmeti, a Fil-Swedish who has NCAA Division I experience with University of Nebraska-Ohama and Southern Utah University.
Francis Escandor, Mike Malonzo, and Miggy Corteza are capable of becoming key rotation players based on their play in the MPBL with their multi-dimensional abilities and work ethic. Darwish Bederi looks also fit in the Rain or Shine system with his ability to shoot from the perimeter.
BLACKWATER - A
Many say Sedrick Barefield is capable of becoming the No. 1 selection in this draft with heavy credentials that include a stint with Utah in the NCAA, Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Summer League, and the Oklahoma City Blue in the NBA G League as early as 2022. A Mikey Williams 2.0 perhaps?
Third-rounder DJ Mitchell could eventually end up as a surprise as well with his NCAA Division I credentials where he played for Hartford. He is a 40 percent shooter from behind the arc in the MPBL.
MAGNOLIA – B
The Hotshots became a guard-heavy line-up when they drafted Jerom Lastimosa in the first round. But apparently, the move became a logical one after they traded Jio Jalalon to NorthPort to acquire a big man in incoming sophomore Zavi Lucero. Magnolia though will have to wait for Lastimosa as he is still recovering from an ACL injury.
GINEBRA - A
On the eve of draft day, Barangay Ginebra made a bold move by giving up Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle to Terrafirma for Stephen Holt and Isaac Go.
The two teams also swapped picks with Ginebra acquiring Terrafirma’s No. 3 pick for its No. 10 selection, putting itself in position to select a high-profile player in this deep draft. By picking RJ Abarrientos, Ginebra has secured its future in the guard rotation with LA Tenorio now in his 40s, while still in a position to win championships.
MERALCO – B
Coming off a championship in the Philippine Cup, Meralco didn’t exactly need to beef up through the draft although it still wound up with quality players in CJ Cansino, Kurt Reyson, NCAA Mythical Five JP Maguliano, and PBA Draft Combine Mythical Five Jordan Bartlett.
PHOENIX – B+
Kai Ballungay somewhat fell in the lap of Phoenix at No. 4 after Barangay Ginebra opted for a guard, instead of a big man, a pick earlier. The 6-foot-7 Ballungay will shore up Phoenix’s frontline with his size, athleticism, and his winning experience with Ateneo. Getting CJ Payawal, a 6-foot-5 guard, in the third round was a bonus for the Fuelmasters.
SAN MIGUEL – C
With a still stacked line-up, the Beermen weren’t necessarily in need of a specific player. SMB had the luxury of rolling the dice, selecting Fil-Canadian and former Korean league campaigner Avan Nava in the first round, and University of the East player Abdul Sawat and Ralph Robin in the third and fourth round, respectively. It will be a challenge for the two to break into the SMB rotation.
TNT – B
With trades from previous transactions, TNT didn’t own a pick in the first two rounds in this deep draft. Too bad. Third-rounder Jared Brown can fill the gap in the back-up point guard position, while Mark Niel Cruz has a potential to become a steal in the draft.
TERRAFIRMA - C
Though Mark Nonoy was a good pick for Terrafirma at No. 10 and will be an immediate contributor, it would have been better if the Dyip had a chance at No. 3, a player that could potentially put the team to a higher level after their playoff run in the Philippine Cup. Instead, that draft right was traded to Barangay Ginebra.
NORTHPORT – B
The Batang Pier were able to acquire Dave Ildefonso, giving them a tall ball-handler and an added offensive weapon that could fuel their running game that was among the best in the league last season.
Evan Nelle and Agem Miranda can also provide that added punch to NorthPort’s offensive game in the guard position. The result, however, is a surplus of guards, especially with Jalalon coming in.
NLEX – B+
The Road Warriors got bigger and more athletic by taking PBA Draft Combine MVP Jonnel Policarpio at No. 6. NLEX also got heftier by picking Brandon Ramirez, who can be a presence inside and even outside at No. 18, although he will only be playing for the Road Warriors once his contract with Pampanga ends.
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