PHOENIX hopes to get a true center in the coming PBA Season 50 draft that hopefully could stand his ground against the league’s premier big men led by June Mar Fajardo.
The Fuelmasters, according to unofficial computations made by SPIN.ph, are set to select at No. 2 in the September 7 draft following an 11th-place finish in the Governors’ Cup, 12th in the Commissioner’s Cup, and ninth in the Philippine Cup.
At the moment, Kai Ballungay, the team’s No. 4 pick in last season’s draft, is among the tallest in the Fuelmasters side at 6-foot-7.
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“You look at the composition of our team, and we’re lacking a true center,” said newly appointed Phoenix coach Willy Wilson. “Obviously, there’s only one June Mar in the Philippines. Anytime that is big enough to at least provide some type of resistance to the premier big men in today’s league."
Aside from Fajardo, Phoenix needs a big that could also match-up against Converge’s Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana.
“Obviously, you have Converge with their two big guys there in Balti and Arana. (Someone) along those lines,” said Wilson.
Wilson said that big man shouldn’t exactly be tall one or a scorer, and, if there’s a chance, should possess the same characteristics as a Dorian Peña, a former teammate of his when he played for San Miguel from 2006 to 2008.
“I’d love to have a Dorian Peña. Somebody that I played with back in the day. He knew his role, was big and hefty, played tough defense, and took tremendous pride in being one of the best interior defenders in the PBA,” he added.
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Peña played in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association, most notably with the Negros Slashers, before playing for San Miguel from 2001 to 2011, winning three championships for the Beermen during that span.
Peña also suited up for Barako Bull, Barangay Ginebra, and Globalport.
“So if I can say what type of center I want, it would be a Dorian Peña type of center,” Wilson said.
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