No takers

Marvin Cruz, Pong Escobal, Marlou Aquino, Lordy Tugade, Paolo Hubalde, Jojo Duncil, Aris Dimaunahan, Rob Wainwright, Richard Yee, Bruce Viray, Chris Canta, Borgie Hermida, Richard Alonzo, Ken Bono, Khazim Mirza, Dennis Daa, Mark Andaya and Jason Misolas.

Of the 18 Barako Bulls players in today's dispersal draft, it almost came as a shock that only two names were called. On again-off again veteran Lordy Tugade who was re-signed by San Miguel and slow-footed point guard Pong Escobal who went to B-Meg Derby Ace.

You have to feel for the guys who were left unsigned-- while they'll still be paid by Barako Bull or by the PBA Union, these guys play basketball not only for a living, but also for themselves.

In Tugade, SMB got itself another shooter who can't create his own shot (an aging Danny Siegle, Sunday Salvacion and lately Dondon Hontiveros) and is also at the downside of his career. Not saying that Tugade's worthless, but outside of being Danny Ildefonso's NU brother, they probably could have gone with someone else-- someone younger at that.

For B-Meg, well, team manager Alvin Patrimonio seems to have a pattern in drafting/ signing up guys: either they're glamour boys or tough all around guys with face value (or in Jerwin Gaco's case, a favorite of coach Gallent). I don't see where Escobal fits in the B-Meg system. He can't shoot or hustle like Roger Yap. Is not as quick on his feet as Chris Timberlake (who was finally getting some minutes last conference) and is less athletic than B-Meg pg of the future Jonas Villanueva (who I believe is more of a solid role player than starting PG in the PBA).

Of course, the other guys were probably left undrafted due to packed rosters (Rain or Shine, Powerade and Meralco have already hinted on this last week) or to raw skill sets. I wouldn't mind seeing Ken Bono lose some weight and dominate in the ABL for a conference or two before making a PBA come back (in the same sense that Junjun Cabatu looks more and more like an X factor for the Philippine Patriots).

Some of the guys who I think could make an impact for certain teams right now are:

Marvin Cruz - Powerade, Rain or Shine
- Powerade has Jai Reyes masquerading as a PBA player-- a STARTING point guard at that. I doubt that even the most die-hard of Ateneans would dare say that Reyes is better than Cruz at any skill set. As for Rain or Shine, they just traded away Sol Mercado and left the keys to TY Tang who plays great defense and has a solid stop and shoot move (that's about it). Another scorer/ creator surely wouldn't hurt Yeng Guiao's rotation.

Dennis Daa - San Miguel
- They were PWNED by Eric Menk in the Semis and had their asses whooped by workhorses Ali Peek and Harvey Carey in the Finals. It's high time they complete their reloading up front by getting a solid post man to complement their running game. Having either Daa or Richard Yee (less offense, more defense/ rebounds) would certainly help.

And, well, that's about it. The rest could go to the ABL, the PBA D-League or retire (in Marlou Aquino's case I hope he does, if only to preserve the greatness of his career which was from 1996-2001. 2002-2011 was a complete wash for him with some vintage performances here and there depending on his contract situation).

Anyway, enough fantasy basketball for tonight. In hindsight, this allows the PBA to field only the best-- now that we're down to nine teams (until Smart Gilas formally enters the league in a year or two which you just know will happen). You have to feel sorry for the players, yes, but perhaps this will teach some of them to make the most of every opportunity thrown their way.