KKS 2013 PBA Mock Draft Version 3 FINAL

Jeric Teng: What going HAM in the UAAP Finals
on national TV can do to your PBA Draft stock
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

The first time we did this, there were a lot of top-Peso names on the list that we could easily throw out there in any order and no one would've raised an eyebrow or posted a seven-tweet rant calling for our heads (in case you haven't, feel free to follow us on Twitter through @kilikilishot).

When the second version came out, we had an idea more or less of who are going to apply and where they'd land-- 1st or 2nd round. Thanks to an insider whose identity we've promised to keep under wraps (till maybe he himself makes the sports headlines), high profile names such as those of the Gilas Cadets, Chris Banchero and later on Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. have been omitted from our list.

Now, we present to you our FINAL 2013 PBA Mock Draft-- based on what we've heard, read, researched, know and also, on what the other PBA teams (who haven't sent any feelers yet) need going into the next PBA season. 

1. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – Ian Sangalang, 6”6, PF/C 

Fan-tards say Slaughter, but we would like to believe that we have followed (rumored to be team manager-in-the-waiting) Alfrancis Chua long enough (PBL Stag Pale Pilsen-Tanduay, PBA Tanduay, Santa Lucia Realty and Ginebra) to know that he's going after a gamer. 

2. San Mig Coffee Mixers – Greg Slaughter, 7”0, C 

Slaughter will shine brightest as a focal point of a half court oriented team and in the PBA, it doesn't get any more "half court" complex than Tim Cone and the Triangle Offense.

3. Rain or Shine Elastopainters – Raymond Almazan, 6”7, PF/C 

Even if resident big man Beau Belga's simply playing up the trade lines to boost his stock (and get a hefty raise), the Elastopainters need better rebounders on the team. There are other areas of concern, but  serviceable bigs over 6"5 are always hard to come by these days.

4. Barako Bull Energy Cola – Ryan Roose Garcia, 5"11, PG

Arguably the best guard to send in his application, Garcia was able to make that transition from hotshot scorer to thinking man's point guard IN COLLEGE. How big a transformation is that? Just take a look at former DLSU King Archer and now Alaska Aces starter JVee Casio. It took him the whole of college, Gilas, Powerade AND Alaska to convert. Garcia has all the tools of being effective in the pros, just needs to get stronger to be able to play defense.

5. Barako Bull Energy Cola – Terrence Romeo, 5"11, SG

Romeo's decision to join the PBA Draft and bank on his newly-minted UAAP MVP credentials is understandable, but either he does an Allein Maliksi and makes Barako his team by being its best offensive player-- OR (and most likely) he gets the Rajko Toroman "learn REAL basketball" treatment and is asked to do the little things first like playing defense, playing off the ball and just making others better. Pretty much the anti-FEU Romeo. Might get rough, but highly entertaining.

6. Barako Bull Energy Cola – JR Cawaling, 6”4, SF 

Pag Team San Miguel ka, may kalalagyan ka. Right now, Cawaling is still somewhat raw (from what we've seen in the ABL last season) but can and will learn from Rajko Toroman and Bong Ramos. They could also just bring in Jeric Teng, but if they go with Romeo for the 4th or 5th picks, there won't be any need for the former UST King Tiger.

7. Global Port Batang Pier - Jeric Teng, 6"1, SG

Nothing like a UAAP Finals showcase to help boost your stock-- prior to his mighty run in the Finals, Teng wasn't even a lock to make the 1st round. After? Damn. Can play hero, can play point, can take advantage of mismatches on the floor. Has a pocket move in the post-up fade away and is not afraid of taking the big shots (when they're given him).

8. Alaska Aces – Nico Salva, 6”3, SF 
Tony de la Cruz is up there in age while Calvin Abueva continues to moonlight as an under sized power forward. Salva is probably the most traditional "Alaska" player in the draft not named Slaughter or maybe a Carlo Lastimosa. Can work the mid-posts in the triangle offense that Alaska loosely runs and is a hard-worker who has improved his craft the last three to four years in the UAAP.

9. Rain or Shine Elastopainters –  Justin Chua, 6”6, C 

We've decided to drop the 6"9 Holstein to the 2nd round and go with the battle-ready Chua. If Belga is to leave the fold, then bringing in a wide bodied youngster will surely help. (Alex Nuyles in the 2nd round beetches!) We love UST's Jeric Fortuna, but we already have Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood, TY Tang, Jonathan Uyloan AND Chris Tiu to run the show. 

10. San Mig Coffee Mixers – Carlo Lastimosa, 6”1, SG     
Don't be surprised if Tim Cone picks the former College of St. Benilde Blazers' star who just so happens to be (who we feel is Cone's true favorite) his former ward Jojo Lastimosa's nephew. While he left the Blazers on "shady" terms, Lastimosa can flat out play both point and shooting guard positions. Alex Mallari has done a tremendous job for the Mixers this season, but he'll be better off as PJ Simon's understudy while James Yap and Allein Maliksi man the small forward spot full time. We're picking Lastimosa over Jeric Fortuna and L.A. Revilla because he is the taller, safer option.

Sleepers

Jeric Fortuna, 5"7, PG

Arguably the 2nd best PG in the draft (now that RR Garcia tossed his hat in the mix, and his health puts him over Revilla), Fortuna has shown great calm amid any and all situations. A heady point guard with enough range to play in the pros-- his defense and height will be the only factors going against him.

Alex Nuyles, 6”2, SG
Instant offense with PBA ready frame, think Val Acuna of San Mig Coffee but with better range, more grounded and stronger body

James Forrester, 6"2, SG
Another serviceable player who has that PBA ready feel. Problem is, he's being marketed as a scorer but based from what we've seen in the NCAA, we don't remember him lighting anyone up for 30 points. Ever.

Isaac Holstein, 6"9, C 
Tall is tall in a land of 6"5 centers. Don't remember if this is the same guy we saw practicing before in RFM where we were having a company basketball tournament. If he was that guy, raw as hell-- winded, couldn't make a layup and couldn't jump higher than four inches.

Jett Vidal, 5”11, SG
Scorer. But he won't get his customary touches in college in the pro-game. Weak body, so defense is out. 2nd round pick based on that one season that was aired on IBC13, other than that, ABL-bound at best (for now).

Chris Exciminiano, 6"1, SG
Scorer's come in bunches this season don't they? Can be a steal in terms of his ability to score the basketball. Solid handles, can play PG but needs a great coach to polish his offense.

Justin Melton, 5"11, PG

From what we saw in the ABL, he's more style than substance. A lot of street ball in him. Can be useful as a sparkplug SG type. Can't be asked to run a PBA team right now.

Dave Najorda, 6"5, PF
We have a feeling that Yeng Guiao has Leo's younger brother in his back pocket somehow. We're all for it.

L.A. Revilla, 5"8, PG
Solid point guard with high basketball IQ, could've been the next L.A. Tenorio but was either hurt or controlling his sugar levels. Feel good story through and through, could be a great addition to any and all teams. We hope Alaska could take a look at this guy as a better backup for Casio.

John Usita, 6"8, C
The man is six foot eight, two hundred and fifty five pounds. That's either a very freakish football defensive tackle or a big boned, no muscle Bonel Balingit. Someone send us some YouTube highlights or clips quick.

Ryan Buenafe, 6"2 SG
Doesn't look like he's 6"2 really. But Buenafe is a smart player who has range and moves, unlike his cousin Ronjay Buenafe, Ryan doesn't possess a quick first step necessary for guys who play the SG spot (either you're quick on that or can drill threes like a Fonacier). Heady player, but no better than a Jun Jun Cabatu (remember him? The former DLSU Archer who suited up for Ginebra).

For a full list of the 2013 PBA Draft applicants, our friends over at InterAKTV posted them here.

Who's your Top 10? Sleepers?