Troubled Waters

Reil "KOBE!" Cervantes.
Franchise player.
(Photo credit: Sports5.ph)

Here's where Blackwater Elite finds itself at the end of its maiden season:

Call them this year's biggest loser: PBA wins and losses -wise and also, 2015 PBA Draft -wise. The awful performance was expected, given the fact that the team was barred from making any direct hires from their promising PBA D-League roster and was pretty much asked to form a roster out of discards and no-names.

But then, the franchise's only glimmer of hope, their salvation, the coveted 2015 PBA Draft Number One Pick-- was foolishly sent in a hullabaloo of a trade which involved NLEX, Rain or Shine and Talk'n'Text.  The team lost its 1st pick to TNT to acquire the services of Larry Rodriguez.

2015 PBA Mock Draft V 3.0

Come at me, bro.
(Photo credits to spin.ph)

Will Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. fulfill his NBA dreams? Or will he be forced to "settle" for this side of the world's oldest play-for-pay basketball league? Is Moala Tautuaa really that good? What if Troy Rosario ends up being the same player as one former UAAP All Star Kelvin Gregorio?

Ladies and gentlemen, here is the third version of what is starting to look more and more like a thin 2015 PBA Draft field (talent-wise). This time, we are going with "what the team needs right now" over the "best available talent" thinking to fill out the rest of the First Round.

12. Rain or Shine Elastopainters - Glenn Khobuntin, 6"4
Tailor-made for Yeng Guiao, fits the new RoS "TV friendly faces" image that the team has come to embrace the last two seasons. Perimeter big in the mold of old wards Ronnie Matias and Larry Rodriguez, though not as skilled.

11. Blackwater Elite (from Talk'n'Text) - Maverick Ahanmisi, 6"2
This team desperately needs a go-to-guy. There's that Ryan Wetherell cat and all the hype about him while playing in Vince Hizon's FBA... but if the UP MBT could win a legitimate basketball title over there the way their roster is right now...

2015 PBA Mock Draft V 2.0

Top 5 sleeper
(Photo credits to owner)

Remember when we said that it was a bit early to be writing about the 2015 PBA Draft, given the scarcity of names that are sure to apply? Well, we are starting to hear more and more of young, collegiate talent that are foregoing their final UAAP/NCAA years if only to try their luck at the pros (UE's Roi Sumang being the biggest newsmaker to date).

Just bear in mind that the PBA Draft order isn't final (we'll know at season's end) but here's more or less something to work with (thanks to that PBADraft website whose owner I don't know, but props to him/ her).

Let's go.

The Ineligibles

Arguably one of the best Fil-Am talent
out there (he's in the NBA!)
but unfortunately, #FIBAineligible

With the local media trying its very best to squeeze any buzz out of Los Angeles Lakers' Filipino-American rookie Jordan Clarkson recent comments that he would "love to represent the Philippines," it should be noted that under current FIBA rules, he is ineligible to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas 3.0 or any version that comes after until that FIBA rule is amended.

Sorry to burst your bubble folks.

Just a few minutes ago, former Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes went on Twitter to post how simple it is for families living overseas who are seriously considering having their sons play for us:





Of course, this is easier said than done since this information is probably not passed on to every single Overseas-based Filipino family. Chances are, they'll only learn about this when their sons start making waves in the basketball scene (wherever they are) which is almost, always when it's too late (because we don't really see any 10-15 year old kids being scouted at such an early, under-developed age owing to all the logistics and financing needed for it).

2015 PBA Mock Draft V 1.0

Number 1 or Number 2?
(Photo courtesy of SLAM.ph)

Though we personally believe that it's a tad bit too early for this (most of the names we want/expect aren't even in yet!), there's no harm in sharing our 2015 PBA Mock Draft now is there? Some of the names are a given, but the manner or order in which they will be drafted should be a bit of a surprise.

Here. We. Go.

12. San Miguel Beermen - Norbert Torres, 6"6
Go big or go home, Arnold Vosotros is a nice option as well but it would be hard for other teams not to tab the burly Green Archer (even if he is still a project at best) in the 2nd round. Call this a back-up plan for the Beermen in case any of their bigs get hurt OR a very good trade chip.

11. Rain or Shine Elastopainters - Aljon Mariano, 6"3
San Miguel will hope to land Mariano (there's a whole story here, but we won't go into that for now), but we feel that head coach Yeng Guiao will find it very hard to resist the fundamentally sound Cabalen who is basically another Ronnie Matias or Larry Rodriguez in the making.

10. Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters - Glenn Khobuntin, 6"4
Remember when Jayson Castro talked about how his team needs some bad boys? Well, okay, Khobuntin's not exactly going to rough anyone up but he does look the part. A solid wingman who can easily transition to either a PBA 3 or 4, Khobuntin will be a great understudy for veteran Ranidel de Ocampo as the season progresses.