2021 PBA Mock Draft V 1.0

Photo: Tiebreakertimes.ph

We are admittedly a little late to the PBA Mock Draft Party, but it's mostly because the PBA has been taking its time when it comes to the Draft applicants specifically the Fil-Foreigners who may or may not have issues with some of their paperwork.

Though I understand the need for all the red tape, since no one wants to see another Fil-Sham-gate; how hard is it for legitimate Filipinos to produce paperwork? I mean, surely, everyone carries a passport, birth certificate and all right? 

Wag na natin kasi ipilit ung lolo/lola to the 5th degree. Pasensyahan na lang.

For now, we will operate through this Mock Draft under the pretense that ALL reported applicants are ineligible. This means, you will definitely see a lot of Fil-Foreigners in the mix in the First Round.

Let's get started:

1. Terra Firma- Joshua Munzon, SG

Currently, the clear-cut top pick in most mock drafts owing to his versatility on the floor, athleticism and no-nonsense style of play. He's the ideal fit to form a deadly run and gun triumvirate with fellow former top picks CJ Perez and Roosevelt Adams; which should prove to be very fun to watch (should they be allowed to play all together and you know, no one gets shipped out in 2021).

2. NorthPort - Jason Brickman, PG 

This guy needs to be in the PBA. He's an NCAA Division 1 assists leader OF ALL TIME for crying out loud. Speed, size, high IQ-- he still needs to work on his range, the only thing missing from him basically being a Jimmy Alapag clone. Also, just the kind of point guard that NorthPort needs to get the ball to Christian Standhandinger down low and take the pressure off Robert Bolick who is a natural 2 guard.

3. NLEX - Troy Rike, PF/C 

I'm just putting this guy here because he appears to be the kind of player any team under the MVP payroll almost always gets. The Wake Forest pedigree has boosted his stock for sure, maybe working under fiery coach Yeng Guiao and playing with veterans Asi Taulava and JR Quinahan will help speed up his development.

4. NLEX - Taylor Statham, SG

The kind of shooter that Coach Yeng needs to help him recreate the same success he had at Rain or Shine. He already has the Paul Lee clone in Kiefer Ravena, also a slasher in Kevin Alas, and sturdy wings like Jericho Cruz and Semerad Twin # 1. What he's missing is a knockdown shooter in the mold of a Jeffrei Chan to help space the floor. What's nice is, this guy is a solid 6"6 guard with handles so just picture a fastbreak of Ravena-Cruz-Statham-Semerad with Quinahan making the outlet pass.

5. Rain or Shine - Jamie Malonzo, SF 

Raw but athletic. Dunks everywhere. Range is shaky. But fearless. I wanted to put Muyang in here, since he's basically Belga 2.0, but given captain Gabe Norwood's mileage and what the team currently lacks, I think Malonzo might be a good fit to play behind Javee Mocon. 

6. Magnolia - Larry Muyang, C 

Magnolia needs a big man. They've needed one since, well, forever. There are rumors that they might just land the exiled Greg Slaughter from Ginebra somehow, but until that day comes, and even if I'm one of Jackson Corpuz' biggest Internet fans, they need more muscle down low to help their best inside player- Ian Sangalang, operate better.

7. Alaska - James Laput, C 

Maybe Johnson, Statham or even Williams would've been a better fit considering how Mav Ahanmisi has yet to deliver the goods since the Aces acquired him. But, the first order of business for the Aces should be getting a legitimate center down low while they have a guy named Danny Ildefonso practically making competent stars out of all the young bigs they have on the roster. Laput stands 6"9, has a nice touch and can drop a nice lefty kisser off the glass. Sure, he might end up going higher (to Magnolia even), but the Aces are best equipped to develop Laput into a legitimate threat around the rim.

8. San Miguel - Franky Johnson, SG   

Let's face it. Alex Cabagnot is old. Chris Ross is getting up there in mileage as well. Marcio Lassiter, another ball handler, showed that he's no longer the same GiLassiter who can play point-forward full-time. Franky Johnson, the former 3x3 MVP, can score, dribble and should be a nice underling for his veteran teammates. Also, would pay good money to see him and Terrence Romeo duke it out in practice.

9. Meralco - Jeremiah Gray, SG 

6"4/ 6"5 shooter who can help space the floor for resident Meralco star Chris Newsome and Bubble Best Rookie Aaron Black. What I like about Gray is that he is quite efficient on the floor and doesn't really force the action-- something that falls right into head coach Norman Black's more "collegiate" schemes.

10. Phoenix - Mikey Williams, PG

At 29, Williams would be a nice addition to the rolling Phoenix offense. In the bubble, the team often relied on stars Matthew Wright and Calvin Abueva to make plays as RJ Jazul (trigger happy) and RR Garcia (working his way back to elite form) would often look lost. Not saying that Williams is a better player than the two or should start right away, but given the names left on the board, he should be a solid contributor and address one of the team's off-season needs.

11. NorthPort - Tyrus Hill, PF

6"5, can run, jump and dunk. Didn't really see much of him in the UAAP, but from what I've gathered and looking at the NP roster, he should be able to contribute behind Kevin Ferrer and Sean Anthony at the  3/4 spots. Hopefully the offseason has helped him work on other facets of his game. I'm also putting him here instead of the next guy because, well NorthPort, Lozol, San Miguel. You know.

12. Ginebra - Alvin Pasaol, PF

Calling it now. Pasaol to Ginebra. The Fil-foreigners will most likely go higher given their collective pedigree, which shouldn't be a problem at all for the champs. With Pasaol, the Gins will get a burly SF-PF who can create his own shot (a constant problem for the Gins when Stanley Pringle isn't clicking) while being a throwback, old school type of player that the Ginebra nation would probably love right away. Low risk, high reward, IMHO should he fall to the Gins.