THE PBA Season 49 Draft is highlighted by big names such as Justine Baltazar, Sedrick Barefield, RJ Abarrientos, Dave Ildefonso, and Jonnel Policarpio. This draft has been described as a deep one with quality players still expected in the second round.
Here are some of the players that could serve as sleepers in this draft.
KURT REYSON
A team that is needing a point guard could have Reyson, who was a bit under the radar entering the draft but showed his worth by winning the Mythical Five in the PBA Draft Combine. The 5-foot-9 Reyson had a good showing with Letran last season, and with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the MPBL where he has been displaying an all-around performance of 8.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists (second behind Justine Baltazar), and 1.3 steals.
JORDAN BARTLETT
Bartlett also came out of nowhere to capture the Mythical Five in the PBA Draft Combine, boosting his stock in the process. A team who needs a point guard who can do a little bit of everything on offense and defense might want to give the 5-foot-10 Bartlett a good look.
MARK NIEL CRUZ
Already a seasoned veteran in the MPBL, the 29-year-old Cruz could be an option for teams who need a serviceable big man in this draft. During the Combine, the 6-foot-7 Cruz was one of the top rebounders among the draftees, and had decent numbers in scoring while being on the same team as Justine Baltazar.
DJ MITCHELL
Mitchell may not have a strong showing, at least statistically, in the Draft Combine, but the 6-foot-0’s ability to score from the outside in the MPBL is intriguing, making 2.3 threes a game and four twice during the season.
JIELO RAZON
The 5-foot-11 Razon did in the PBA Draft Combine what he has been showing in the MPBL. The former Perpetual Altas averaged 11.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.6 steals for the Paranaque Patriots. A team who needs a good ball-handler who can also hit the outside shots might want to consider Razon.
JOHN UDUBA
Although he might be undersized for his natural position, the 6-foot-4 Uduba might deserve another look with his ability to rebound and score on putbacks. A product of Olivarez College, the Paranaque Patriots player is averaging 9.4 points and 9.7 rebounds for his team in the ongoing MPBL season.
CJ PAYAWAL
A 6-foot-5 player with guard skills should definitely be under the radar of teams. CJ Payawal fits the bill as showed in his play with University of the East and Valenzuela in the MPBL where he is averaging 10.9 points and 6.1 rebounds this season. The Fil-American can also hit from downtown, having already made six threes during an MPBL game this year.
AGEM MIRANDA
The 6-foot-1 Miranda can definitely score in the college ranks after racking up for 31 points in an NCAA Season 99 game for Jose Rizal University last year. He also displayed his scoring ways in the MPBL last year for Mindoro where he averaged 14.6 points, while adding 5.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.4 steals. He went toe-to-toe during the PBA Draft Combine finals where he had 17 points while playing alongside Jonnel Policarpio and Kurt Reyson.
MIKE MALONZO
The 6-foot-2 Malonzo is currently ranked at No. 4 in the Rookie of the Year race in the MPBL behind bigger names such as LJ Gonzales and fellow PBA draft aspirants CJ Cansino and Mark Nonoy, proof that he can hold his own. Malonzo even topscored during one of the scrimmages in the PBA Draft Combine with 17 points, while playing alongside Kai Ballungay and Jordan Bartlett.
MIGGY CORTEZA
Though he played power forward during his college days with College of Saint Benilde, the 6-foot-3 Corteza showed his versatility during the PBA Draft Combine where he proved that he can play the wing positions. With his new team Marikina in the MPBL, Corteza is averaging 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and 1.5 steals in two games with the squad.
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