The 2016 PBA Special and Regular Mock Draft

Get Belo-fied
(Photo credit: interaksyon.com)

Ugh.

The Gilas boys need to come out with red dots on their foreheads. Green for the regulars. Siopao-style.

Special thanks to ABS CBN Sports for the Draft order, as per this report >>> click here.

1 Blackwater - Mac Belo, SF
Arguably the most sound Gilas player to date be it on offense or defense. Though he is not a go-to-guy per se, Belo almost, always ends up being his team's leading scorer (and rebounder) by sheer hard work and simply working efficiently without the basketball. If you were to compare him to any current PBA player, then the guy his game closely resembles is that of TNT's incoming sophomore Troy Rosario-- only with a better dribble game. Belo works the glass relentlessly, has a pocket set-shot from 15 feet and out, and best of all can put the ball on the floor on the pick and roll which makes him an even bigger threat than Rosario. We honestly like what Blackwater is looking at here, since they will be able to parade a blue chip foursome of Roi Sumang, Carlo Lastimosa, Art dela Cruz and Belo right away, with the center position hopefully addressed in the later conferences (via an import).

2 Star - Arnold Van Opstal, C
Coach Chito Victolero's appointment threw us off a bit, since we were thinking that they might go for the best talent available (Jalalon) rather than what they need (and have ties to). But considering the fact that they have RR Garcia, Mark Barroca, Justin Melton, Alex Mallari and new recruit Paul Lee at the point position, we are still going to put our money on Opstal who has been listed anywhere from 6"5 to 6"9. While AVO's skills appear to have stagnated, as shown in his last run with Gilas, he is still the tallest and most athletic guy in the pool AND the closest that this Draft has to offer in a 3x PBA MVP Junemar-dominated league. Also, it ensures that all the available "giants" belong to Team SMC.

3 Phoenix - Matthew Wright, SG
The Fil-Canadian ABL champion and known sniper will be reunited with his Malaysia Dragons coach Ariel Vanguardia in the PBA. There have already been a lot of San Miguel-Marcio Lassiter (on offense) comparisons and from what we have seen most of it are quite warranted. They won't win right away with this pick, but it will help them move to a more uptempo style while also giving veterans Cyrus Baguio and JC Intal much needed breathers.

4 Mahindra - Jio Jalalon, PG
L.A. Revilla has been nothing short of spectacular for Mahindra ever since the team joined the league. Daresay that the pint-sized guard is the team's "franchise player," owing to how he has made everyone around him look good. Hell, he even resuscitated the careers of Aldrech Ramos and Nino Canaleta (who are still “only” spot-up shooters). But we all know Revilla’s previous health concerns, which is why we feel that Mahindra should go for Jalalon, an NCAA triple double machine, and maybe try to either groom him to eventually replace Revilla OR play them together ala Ginebra’s L.A. Tenorio and (Jalalon’s college triple double rival) Scottie Thompson. You know what? The last idea doesn’t seem all too shabby.

5 Globalport - Kevin Ferrer, SF
Somehow, someway, team consultant Franz Pumaren will go for Ferrer—a wiry sharpshooter who can play hellacious defense while letting everyone know about it. Honestly, Ferrer reminds us of Ateneo’s Wesley Gonzales, only much, much better and a bit meatier (not by much though). Adding Ferrer in the fold will give GlobalPort a near Golden State Warriors feel—Stanley Pringle, Terrence Romeo and Ferrer: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant. Okay, that was a little too generous, but you get the idea right? It will space the floor even more for the “Slash Brothers.” Ferrer being a bit lazy and a headcase? Coach Franz has seen it all before and made it work (i.e. Mac Cardona).

6 NLEX - Carl Bryan Cruz, SF
There is something about Cruz that tells us he’s hungry to prove himself more than anyone else in the Gilas pool.  The former FEU team captain went out of his way several times as of late: he played for Café France in the PBA D-League when he could have “buddied up” with his FEU brethren at Phoenix AND he also applied for the PBA “regular” draft ahead of Gilas, which is a clear indication that there was no way in hell, should the PBA-SBP talks fail (which thankfully it didn’t) that he was still going pro. And you know who likes people with chips on their shoulders? That would be Coach Yeng Guiao, who just so happens to be looking at an NLEX roster that lacks a natural small forward who can be relied upon on both offense and defense (Sean Anthony is more Rudy Hatfield-power forward-ish). Also, Cruz at 6”4 has the size, speed and range that reminds you of a former Guiao hand—Jericho Cruz (minus the slashing game, of course). Picture this: Asi Taulava secures the leather on defense and sees Anthony, Cruz, Garvo Lanete and Kevin Alas all breaking out to the other side of the court.

7 Meralco - Roger Pogoy, SF
The Bolts need a shooter, a scorer—any warm body who can help them and spare us from having to see Anjo Caram, Brian Faundo and Kelly Nabong take and clank shot after shot after shot. Kidding aside, the Bolts have found a gem of a slasher in Chris Newsome but need more guys to open the floor for him. They have two in Jimmy Alapag (near retirement) and Jared Dillinger (oft-injured/ inconsistent), but after those two, well, yeah. We do hope that Baser Amer puts more work in his three ball, adding Pogoy will help give them a two-way player who can be groomed into a 3 and D guy. Plus, the Team MVP, Ateneo, FEU alliance/ connection is there.

8 TNT - Mike Tolomia, PG
Jayson Castro needs some rest, as good as he is. TNT also needs to return to their old, natural “Euro-ball” game where everyone is involved in the offense and doesn’t simply “ball watch” with Castro in the lead and Ranidel de Ocampo as his sidekick. No, this team is too deep to simply be playing 1-2 offense. TNT’s decision to bring Nash Racela into the fold hints at the possibility of going back (full time) to the Dribble Drive Offense. Adding Tolomia, Racela’s trusted FEU starting point guard and DDO initiator, ensures just that.

9 Rain or Shine - Russel Escoto, C
With the departure of JayR Quinahan, RoS will be looking to add a warm body to their frontline. We, being RoS fans, think that new head coach Caloy Garcia will be looking to run more and play physical-less which is tailor-made for Escoto who could be developed into an RoS stretch big in a few years’ time.  We thought about Gotladera, but other than playing for ADMU, well, no. Pessumal and Daquioag? RoS already has too many scorers at the moment.

10 Ginebra - Von Pessumal, SG
They don’t need him right now, but if things pan out and Pessumal grows with all the “Gilas training” Coach Tim Cone could very well end up with this draft’s biggest steal. Pessumal is a skilled shooter who knows how to pick his spots AND can play some defense, much like RoS’ Jeffrei Chan who has been on every single Ginebra fan’s wish list (outside of Marcio Lassiter of course).  In a year’s time, if Pessumal puts in the work, he could easily make the rotation given his skillset and Mark Caguioa’s and Jayjay Helterbrand’s impending retirements.

11 Alaska - Alfonso Gotladera, C
Eric Menk has been left unsigned, Noy Baclao still hasn’t lived up to his ADMU hype and Samigue Eman is a bust. They have another big man right? That Magat kid? Yeah, bust. They need all the help they can get in the frontline, since they are working solely with Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva and Vic Manuel at this point. Gotladera won’t contribute heavily, but he’s a big, young, warm body nonetheless.

12 San Miguel - Ed Daquioag, SG
Because UST is low-key an SMC college team. No, seriously. No, seriously. Unneeded pick, but a pick’s a pick. Daquioag’s game closely resembles that of 90s semi-star Rodney Santos, he just needs to develop his outside shooting and maybe learn how to pass more.

The “Regular” Draft

1 Blackwater - Chris Javier, PF
Big and bruising, folks say that he reminds them of Beau Belga. We, being fans of Belga since PCU, thinks he doesn’t have the same IQ on offense BUT is as physical on defense. He’s more of a throwback enforcer if you ask us, which is what BW will need moving forward.

2 Phoenix (from Star) - Rashawn McCarthy, SG
Another ABL guy, more importantly, another Coach Ariel guy. Where’s Avery Shcarer at???

3 Ginebra (from Phoenix) - Jonathan Grey, SG
See Von Pessumal, take out the Gilas part, and add the “Ginebra needs young shooters to space the floor, etc.” argument we shared.

4 Mahindra - Gelo Alolino, PG
Best available talent, unfortunately plays the PG position which we have already ceded to incumbent L.A. Revilla and Gilas pick Jio Jalalon. Still, a very solid rotation-player.

5 Star (from Globalport) - Joseph Eriobu, SF
Eriobu had to sit out a full year at Mapua thanks to some off-court drama, but when he played he was the team’s best local two-way player. Star has a lot of scorers at the moment, so adding a versatile small forward who could slide up to the 4 spot from time to time should be nice. Think Marvin Hayes, or a mellowed-down “baby” Calvin Abueva.

6 San Miguel (from NLEX) - Jericho de Guzman, C
Because height is might in basketball, and the Ginebra practice player will most likely continue that role but this time versus the MVP Fajardo and Yancy de Ocampo. Who knows, maybe de Guzman can be groomed into developing either playing style (banger or finess big)?

7 Meralco - Paolo Pontejos, PG
Because Anjo Caram’s in the PBA more because of the school he went to than his actual game, as shown/ exposed in the 2016 PBA Governor’s Cup.

8 NLEX (from TNT) - Jeoffrey Javillonar, SF
A.K.A. The Jeric Teng Stopper. Literally. We know that they have Eric Camson and Glenn Khobuntin, but both guys aren’t quick enough to play perimeter defense. Javillonar is perfect for that role, and could be developed into a Jireh Ibanes clone.

9 Rain or Shine - Mikee Reyes, PG
Someone’s got to represent U.P after Ibanes is done right? Also, why is our guy Mikee being listed in some circles as 6”0? Lol. Nah.

10 Ginebra - Raphael Banal, SG
Coach Tim Cone, the Banal family… another young shooter to keep in the farm…

11 Alaska - Levi Hernandez, SG
Unheralded, just the way Alaska likes it. Hernandez made a name for himself as a certified scorer in the PCBL and FBL, and if he plays his cards right he could be part of Alaska’s “youth movement.”

12 Phoenix (from San Miguel) - John Tayongtong, PG
A solid point guard to help Simon Enciso and Josh Urbiztondo.

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