KKS 2013 PBA Mock Draft Version 1

Please bear with us if our list is a little rough, we're still trying to make sense of all the PBA transactions (which pick was traded to whom, for what, who owns this, who owns that) and are just working around it the best we can. That being said, since we're almost at the end of another magnificent PBA season, it's about damn time to start looking ahead (specially for fans of teams that have no realistic chance of suddenly breaking into the conference finals) and see what's in store.

We'll make about one or two more versions of this 2013 PBA Mock Draft depending on the guys who apply or are deemed eligible. For now, here's our bet for the 1st round Top 10 picks:

1. San Mig Coffee Mixers – Greg Slaughter, 7”0, C
Let’s put it this way, if Tim Cone could make slow-footed, 7”2 E.J. Feihl look like an offensive threat in the late 90s (we’ve never seen him jump high enough to dunk the basketball consistently during his short-lived PBA career), then Slaughter is going to be a force in the pros. The Atenean giant can catch the ball and finish with either hand (over-looked skill these days), always has his hands straight up to contest shots and more importantly, is a willing banger. He’ll also have the luxury of playing alongside a bevy of shooters/ scorers which leaves the paint exclusively to him.

2. Rain or Shine Elastopainters – Ian Sangalang, 6”6, PF/C
While there are those batting for Raymond Almazan, we feel that Yeng Guiao will go with Sangalang—and not just because they’re from the same Northern region. Based on what we've seen so far, Sangalang already trumps his peers and even predecessors with a refined offensive repertoire. He can play inside, outside, has no qualms dribbling end to end and can even stroke it from deep when called upon. Put this guy beside a Beau Belga or JayR Quinahan and you are looking at a Marlou Aquino-Dennis Espino in Santa Lucia kind of pairing that can push RoS to the top right away.


3. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – Kevin Alas, 5”11, SG
How long before Ginebra management realizes that we’re nearing the end of the Mark Caguioa era? It’s a sad reality that we have to face, and looking at the roster, Ginebra has a ton of point guards and wings for the future but not a true replacement for Caguioa (explosive scorer, one-on-one creator). Remember how Ginebra wanted to get Louie Alas from Alaska? Well. Consider this a win for the Barangay.

4. Barako Bull – Raymond Almazan, 6”7, PF/C
What a haul of talent for Barako Bull—the only silver lining to team consultant Rajko Toroman’s abysmal and odd PBA “debut.” If you have three picks in the first round, then you might as well get core guys to build around for the future (provided they aren’t shipped elsewhere-get it? SHIPPED? Brofist!) . The rebuilding starts with Almazan, a low post player whose ceiling is close to that of the Mixers’ Jean Marc Pingris’ given his height, speed and athleticism. Barako doesn’t have reliable bigs with aging frontliners: Mick Pennisi, Dorian Pena and Danny Seigle so there’s going to be plenty of playing time to go around. Someone hand Almazan Danny Ildefonso’s 1999 dietician’s mobile number ASAP.

5. Barako Bull – R.R. Garcia, 5”11, PG
With Almazan in the fold and incoming sophomore Emman Monfort handling the backcourt, getting a go-to-guy who can make plays for Barako instead of just relying for another “vintage” Seigle performance. There’s arguably no one more “PBA ready” than Garcia, who was able to shift his game from scorer (UAAP MVP) to playmaker IN COLLEGE (pretty much what Alaska’s JVee Casio had to learn from his years in DLSU, SMART Gilas, PBA Powerade and Alaska). Let that sit in for a minute because that’s how good and intelligent this kid is. They’ll be tested defensively, but a Monfort-Garcia backcourt doesn’t look too shabby now does it?

6. Barako Bull – JR Cawaling, 6”4, SF
Toroman will get his guy in Cawaling, an able small forward who has the basketball IQ to play in the Serbian national’s system being a former SMART Gilas cadet. While JC Intal continues to search for his lost Ateneo main man mojo, Cawaling will easily slide in as a more “reserved/controlled” version of Ginebra’s Mac Baracael (his former college teammate).

7. Rain or Shine Elastopainters – Ronald Pascual, 6”3, SG
Here’s a surprise Guiao pick that we are betting on and yes, you may use the “Cabalen” angle on this one. Outside of Talk ‘n’ Text and Meralco, the only other team that empowers shooters is RoS thanks to Guiao’s “shoot when you’re open or else I’ll kill you” mantra. There are injury concerns yes, but no one’s asking Pascual to re-live his glory days and dunk over guys. He’s transitioned nicely as a Gary David-type of volume shooter in the latter stages of his NCAA career. Just think of him as a bigger, mean-mugging Ronjay Buenafe.

8. San Mig Coffee Mixers – Nico Salva, 6”3, SF
Simply because there’s no such thing as having too many good-looking players on one team. Salva’s Ateneo pedigree and the five-rings are a testament to his hard work and dedication. How he fares in the pros is another thing, but can’t be worse than senior Wesley Gonzales now can it?

9. Alaska Aces – Carlo Lastimosa, 6”1, SG
Is Carlo Lastimosa as good as his well-recognized and original Alaska franchise player Jojo Lastimosa? We saw glimpses of a mature game be it as a point or shooting guard while he was strutting his wares for St. Benilde in the NCAA. He’s smart enough to play point guard in the pros while also being big enough to guard PBA-level combo/shooting guards. Again, not much to go with on this one other than the surname and the little amount of games we’ve seen him in. Perhaps had we seen him play a bit more (on any level) he’d be considered a poor, poor man’s RR Garcia?

10. Global Port Batang Pier –  Garvo Lanete, 6”1, SG
The Gilas boys are undoubtedly going high in the 2013 PBA Draft thanks to their extensive training and exposure here and abroad. Lanete has already proven himself thanks to a Jones Cup stint and breakout game wherein he held his own alongside his PBA seniors. With resident starting SG Willie Miller getting up there in age, Lanete will be a lock at the two spot playing off Sol Mercado (Jones Cup teammate) and serving as his primary kickout option at the wing. Not a star, but definitely a solid pick.

Sleepers
Jeric Fortuna, 5”7, PG
Amazing, heady point guard armed with the clutch gene, plays more like Ronnie Magsanoc than Johnny Abarrientos. Smart, but undersized and doesn’t have half the muscle tone of height/weight division-mate, Barako’s Emman Monfort.

Isaac Holstein, 6”9, C
Because 6”9 is still 6”9 in a league of 6”5 centers.

James Forrester, 6”2, SF
*Late addition to original draft due to public clamor* We were originally apprehensive about adding Forrester in our list of sleepers, but let's give it a try. He's in the middle of his 2nd season as a member of the NCAA's Arellano Chiefs and so far, he hasn't been putting up the numbers. He's consistent and averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds in a little over 25 minutes a game last NCAA season, he does have the skillset (think a smaller Rob Wainright) but his approach is a little too passive and not in a Ray-Ray Parks "going through the motions as to not get injured and damage his PBA Draft placing" kind of way. Let's put it this way, if John Wilson and Jimbo Aquino- both explosive scorers and NCAA stars are having a hard time finding a niche in the pros, then Forrester has a lot of work ahead of him.

Ifs
Bobby Ray Parks, Jr., 6”4, SF
Consensus number one pick should he join. Every one else goes down one notch. His game, at the moment, mirrors that of the Meralco Bolts’ Jarred Dillinger-minus the “gigil.” Skilled as fu.. but has a knack for going through the motions (while still being the best player on the court) think T-Mac or Carmelo Anthony minus the touch.

Chris Banchero, 6”0, PG
Ladies and gays, hold on to your snazzy underwears. Banchero doesn’t only have the looks, but he has the game as well. Textbook Euro-style point guard who prefers to create first, score second (though last ABL season his scoring clip went up). One look at the guy and you just know he’d be a legit PBA superstar one way or the other. He also wears the shortest basketball shorts in today’s local hoops scene. Needs to play in TWO PBA DLeague conferences to qualify for the draft.

Justin Melton, 5”11, PG
Melton is the scoring version of Banchero, with almost the same size and strength but with an obvious advantage in speed side-to-side and end-to-end. Elite finisher but weak jumpshooter, like a bulkier Chris Ross. As far as we know, this guy also needs to play in TWO PBA DLeague conferences to qualify for the draft.

On the bubble
Jett Vidal, 5”11, SG
Shooter, but overall defense is B- at best. Needs a John Wilson-type of makeover (learn to play defense) to make it. His best shot at the PBA is to be drafted by Rain or Shine and be given the Cyrus Baguio treatment by Yeng Guiao.

Joshua Webb, 6”3 , PF
If Simon Atkins can make it, so can Webb. Only at the Air21 Express “Archers” of course. More athlete than basketball player.

Mike Silungan, 6”4, SF 
This guy may just be able to make it to the PBA because he put up huge numbers… on a really bad college team. Either another Dylan Ababou in the making or Mike Holper.

Other names already being floated around

Jake Pascual, 6”3, SF/ Justin Chua, 6”6, C/ Alex Nuyles, 6”2, SG/ Mark Bringas, 6”4, PF/ Nate Matute, 6”0, SG/ Dexter Marquez, 6”4, PF/ Chris Camus, 6”3, PF/ Eric Camson, 6”3, PF/ Arvie Bringas, 6”4, PF/ Jovet Mendoza, 6”4, PF/ Melo Afuang, 6”6, PF/ Allen Etrone, 6”1, SF/ Jam Cortes, 6”4,PF

Who are your 1st round picks? Sleepers? All hype?