PBA Draft 2012 1st Round Grades

Can't teach height.

What a day for the future of Philippine basketball! Arguably one of the most potent and star-ready lot in the last decade, the PBA Draft 2012 went all six rounds-- with the rechristened Barangay Ginebra San Miguel out to try point guards by the dozen.

First round

1. Petron Blaze - June Mar Fajardo
This was a no brainer, though Fajardo is a three-year project at best, the guy stands 6"10 and has actual muscles that Bonel Balingit, E.J. Feihl, Marlou Aquino and Andy Seigle COMBINED could only dream of. Don't look for Fajardo to dominate the game ASAP, since there's a solid reason why he was glued to the bench in the ASEAN Basketball League. In the PBA, he's job has been defined for him before he was even called out to the stage: intimidate, rebound and block shots. If Coach Olsen Racela and 2x PBA MVP Danny Ildefonso could work their magic on Fajardo and speed up Fajardo's basketball IQ, then look for Petron to be a playoffs fixture for years to come.

Grade: A (Fajardo addresses the one position that Petron doesn't have a bunch of guys to choose from)


2. Alaska - Calvin Abueva
This writer won't lie to you. Finding out that Abueva was really a PBA 6"1 1/2 undersized power forward was a bit disappointing. Fortunately, Abueva has learned to dribble the ball and know when to kick out of double teams enough for him to be an acceptable small forward or even a shooting guard. The familiarity with the Alaska's coaching staff that features his college coach Topex Robinson obviously played a major role in him getting picked, and it would be interesting to watch how he fits in the Alaska system. L.A. Tenorio is a lock at PG and so is big man Sonny Thoss at the post. You'd have to figure that Mac Baracael would eventually land a SF or PF spot at some point which leaves Abueva an opening at SF or SG. Call us crazy, but we actually don't mind seeing Abueva play the 2 spot for Alaska. He'll have Tenorio as his ball handler, Baracael as his partner at the wings so all Abueva has to do is barrel his way into the paint like The Beast that he is.

Grade: B+ (Based on talent, reputation and achievements alone then Abueva was an obvious choice at 2, but if Alaska was just looking for a guy who could provide a spark then the next guy would've been a solid alternative... That, plus I'm quite worried for "good guy" Coach Trillo- can he control Abueva? Will Abueva even listen?)

3. Petron Blaze - Alex Mallari
We all thought it was going to be Cliff Hodge. Or even Chris Tiu. But Petron opted for Mallari who came off as a surprise pick but once it sank in, was a pretty logical choice. The team flustered in the last two conference when their coach couldn't figure out who should have the ball. They won games, but it was more on talent rather than design. Mallari gives the team a solid "go-to-guy" down the line. While Petron has the names, they don't have the superstar "one on one" player that could get them out of scoring ruts. They have a guy who carries the name Joseph Yeo, but he certainly doesn't play like the old DLSU hotshot so there. Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz are excellent role players, but they're not the scoring type. Think of it as the difference between a Vince Carter and a Richard Jefferson when they both wore New Jersey colors in the NBA.

Grade: A- (just the scorer that Petron needs. Plus, they didn't get Hodge which would've created a confusing scenario alongside Arwind Santos and Jay Washington)

4. Meralco - Cliff Hodge
Talent over loyalty prevailed in the PBA Draft 2012. While Tiu was pencilled in to be the crown jewel of the MVP-owned franchise, Coach Ryan Gregorio et. al. had other plans in mind given their already developing guard troika of Chris Ross, Sol Mercado and Mac Cardona. Hodge instantly gives Coach RG a hybrid forward who could easily become the second coming of Jay Washington. He'll get his minutes over lanky yet slow-footed Mark Borboran and will learn all the tricks of the trade from the league's most under-rated yet most efficient forward Reynel Hugnatan.

Grade: B+

5. Barako Bull (traded to BMeg)- Aldrech Ramos
Traded to BMeg for Sean Anthony (acquired from Global Port) and a future draft pick. Coach Tim Cone says they need Ramos' size, touch and versatility. This writer says they should've just held on to Kerby Raymundo then. Friendly advise, hit the gym and go on the Danny Ildefonso/ Joseph Yeo/ Paul Lee diet (re: gain PBA weight).

Grade: C

6. Ginebra - Chris Ellis
The crowd was expecting a different Chris (Tiu). But where would Tiu play? He's not as skilled a passer as Mike Cortez and Jayjay Helterbrand, and Mark Caguioa is the reigning PBA MVP and looks to be rejuvenated for another great run. There's no doubting Ellis' athleticism, but no one would rank him over rising small forwards Dylan Ababou and Allein Maliksi.

Grade: B

7. Rain or Shine - Chris Tiu
Will write about this later. This deserves a longer write-up. A longer, meatier write-up that would be both fun and cruel all at the same time.

8. Ginebra - Keith Jensen
Seriously? Another hybrid forward? Ano to, Petron?

Grade: B-

9. BMeg (traded to GlobalPort) - Vic Manuel
Just the post-up big man the Batang Pier needs moving forward. Has all the skills and fight to bang in the paint, but doesn't come with the immaturity and insecurity of resident big Rabeh Al Hussaini. Look for Manuel to contribute early with JVee Casio and MVP runner-up Gary David opening things up from deep.

Grade: A-

10. GlobalPort - Jason Deutchmann
He's 6"6, a little raw offensively but quick on his feet and has solid handles. Either he becomes Danny Seigle 2.0 OR Mike Holper 2.0. Will fill in the void for the recently traded Sean Anthony.

Grade: B

Steals

12. BMeg (traded to Barako Bull) - Dave Marcelo
A frontline of Doug Kramer and Dave Marcelo would be fun to watch based on how hard they work underneath the boards. Offense might be a problem, but that won't matter. They'll be traded by the 2nd conference anyway.

15. Barako Bull - Lester Alvarez
Finally, a point guard to spell Willie Miller. Speedy, can shoot and knows how to control the game. Height might be an issue.

17. Rain or Shine (traded to Meralco) - Kelly Nabong
This surprised me the most. That Yeng Guiao let Nabong, a Yeng Guiao player to the truest sense of the word, go elsewhere. Coach RG and Meralco instantly gets his new version of Marc Pingris, and it would be really annoying to play against a team that features Nabong AND Mac Cardona on defense.

19. Alaska - Raphy Reyes
After Joseph Yeo and before Jeron Teng there was Raphy Reyes. Too bad he was stuck behind THE Paul Lee. And Rudy Lingganay. And Coach Lawrence Chiongson's hair.

38. Ginebra - Jerick Canada
Well, it's a shame that a point guard of Canada's talents slid all the way down to the third round. But the guy did land with Ginebra. Where the PG spot has always been up for grabs given Cortez and Helterbrand's injury woes. Either he makes the bench or goes back to the ABL for another year.