A sneak peek into the 2007 PBA Draft: Part II
john geoffrey dacanay August 5th, 2007 (Visited 6469 times)
Ranking the Aspirants by position
Note: Position is based on projected position in the pros and not necessarily their playing positions while in the PBL or in their collegiate career. I have only listed players who are likely to be drafted and stayed away from unknowns and those that are long, long, longshots to be drafted. Here it goes...
CENTERS
1. Samigue Eman 6'10" C University of Mindanao
In terms of potential, he is on top of the list… Immediately caught the attention of scouts 5 years ago with his size, athleticism and coordination… played varsity ball as the starting center for the University of Mindanao Wildcats... He was a product of the Tryouts ng Bayan, a program by business tycoon Jean Henri Lhuillier to discover talents from all over the cities and provinces … He saw action in various international meets as a member of the Lhuillier-sponsored RP Team… very raw but has potential to be a great shotblocking presence in the pros… He could be the next Marlou Aquino with better agility.
2. Karl Kenneth “Ken” Bono 6'6" C Adamson University
Tore up the UAAP and the PBL last season… winning the UAAP MVP and was on the PBL Mythical Selection… best shooting big man to come down the pike since Alvin Patrimonio and Jun Limpot… could score 20 points even in his sleep… range extends up to the three-point area… he’s kinda slow and conditioning will be a factor but his play in the UAAP and the PBL last season indicates that he’s ripe for the pros.
3. Jose Ronald “JR” Quiñahan 6'6" C University of the Visayas
Best center prospect to come out of the Visayas since Ramon Fernandez… carried the Green Lancers to a dynasty trip, leading his school to the CESAFI title in his entire collegiate career… Nicknamed “Baby Shaq” because of his uncanny resemblance to NBA star Shaquille O’Neal and the way he terrorized the Visayan leagues… Very good post-up player with a soft touch from the perimeter… Led the PBL in shotblocks the past season… Looks shorter than his listed height of 6’6” but has a great wingspan to cover up for it… he's kinda slow but he's very very wide and can bring down the ball on the break.
4. Francis Barcellano 6'6" C Far Eastern University
Seldom-used big man who has size and solid fundamentals… played collegiately for the Far Eastern University Tamaraws… projected to be no more than a role player… could get drafted because he has one thing which can’t be taught – height… a willing banger.
5. Kenneth Coyukang 6'5" C Jose Rizal College
Former PBL first pick overall… other than being tall and big, nothing else is worth saying… he could be the second coming of Mark Kong, which means in PBA lingo, he will be destined as a benchwarmer if he gets drafted which will be quite a longshot.
POWER FORWARDS
1. Joe Devance 6'7" PF University of Texas-El Paso
Still needs a certificate of DOJ confirmation to be declared eligible in the draft… there’s no question he will be a great catch because he has size, game and versatility… won the PBL MVP two seasons ago and led his team Toyota Otis to the PBL finals… Played varsity ball for the UTEP, a division I school in the US NCAA… can play any of the three frontline positions, although power forward figures to be the position he’s more comfortable at… Go-to move is posting up on the left side of the basket and using great footwork and pump fakes to extricate himself from defenders… can play back-to-the-basket or facing it… has 3-point range… shot selection needs to improve though, as well as passing out of double-teams… Game is on the finesse side and rarely takes the ball strong to the basket.
2. Doug Kramer 6'4" PF Ateneo de Manila
“The Big Doug”… A Rudy Hatfield starter kit… compensates lack of size with great strength, positioning and tough mindset… Sunk the winning basket off a Macky Escalona inbound pass which lifted the Ateneo Blue Eagles in game 1 of their title showdown with UST last year… Led the PBL in rebounding last conference… has made his mark as a defender in the amateurs and that doesn’t figure to change in the PBA… always tasked to defend the other team’s top big men even if he is terribly undersized… range is limited but he is a very intelligent player who knows what he can and can’t do on the floor… you want some showbiz stuff? Well, Doug’s girlfriend is TV personality Cheska Garcia, which is well, public knowledge.
3. Joel Solis 6'5" PF Philippine Christian UniversityA very athletic player with great length and leaping ability… game could be best suited in the pros… starred for the title-winning 2005 PCU team in the NCAA… could get drafted based on potential and size... will be a very nice role player.
SMALL FORWARDS
1. John Christopher “JC” Intal 6'4" SF Ateneo de Manila
Dubbed “The Rocket” because of the way he explodes on the floor… Make way Niño Canaleta, you now have a worthy challenger in the All-Star dunking competitions… Beat Canaleta in one of the dunking cagefest in a PBL all-star event using a Vince Carter dunk using the elbow to finish it off (Canaleta missed his last dunk)… Used the UAAP last season to announce he’s ready to enter big-time basketball… vastly-improved perimeter shooting touch and slashing ability will make him a greater force in the pros… athleticism is off the charts… needs to continue to add strength and improve defensive ability to make a mark in the pro league.
2. Yousif Aljamal 6'4" PF San Beda College
Played all of his collegiate life as a power forward but has to shift to small forward in the pros… Plays like a young Vic Pablo – has solid perimeter shooting skills with rebounding ability… may struggle in the pros with his “tweener” status… he’s not strong enough to guard the big 4s and 5s and may lack the lateral movements to guard the league’s quick and athletic threes… however, if Pablo was able to make it, there’s no doubt this guy can.
OFF GUARDS
1. Ronjay Buenafe 6'1" OG Emilio Aguinaldo College
One of the true sleepers of the draft… has a scorer’s mentality… can heat up pretty quick… standout of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals… one of the few players on the draft pool who excels on both ends of the court… pretty feisty… perimeter shooting is impeccable… quick release is similar to Gary David… fearless going to the hole… shot selection is one thing he needs to improve on.
2. Jeffrei “Jeff” Chan 6'3" SF Far Eastern University
One of the purest shooters in the draft… has great size… one of the best rebounders at his position… is not afraid to shoot the ball when the game is on the line … excellent defensive player who can block shots… sees the court very well… slashes, and drives inside.
3. Reed Friar Juntilla 6'1" SG University of the Visayas
Belongs to a long line of great Visayan shooters such as Boy Cabahug, Ricric Marata, Moises Abangan, Carlito Mejos, Felix Duhig and Dondon Hontiveros… played for the University of the Visayas before taking his act to the PBL at Hapee to replace star guard June Simon who was elevated to the pros… one of the PBL’s top scorers.
4. Ryan Araña 6'1" SG De La Salle University
Excellent defensive player who also has a deep offensive arsenal… proved that he can score (exploded for 38 points in one PBL game last year), and make stops at the same time… his jumper has improved tremendously enough to make defenders pay if they leave him wide open… at his best in driving to the basket where he uses incredible craftiness and an assortment of moves to get away from defenders.
5. Joselito “Jojo” Duncil 6'1" SG University of Sto. Tomas
Created a lot of fuss in the UAAP after there were questions arising from his eligibility… Those issues forced him to dip his hand into the pro league, advancing his career plans by a year… a pure scorer… has potential to be good player in the pros because he can score from literally anywhere… loves to drive to the hole and fish some fouls… he’s one of the reasons why UST won the UAAP title last season.
6. Dominador “Noy” Javier 5'11" OG University of Perpetual Help Rizal
If he’s only at least 3 inches, he could have a chance… A specialist… He’s a long range bomber and a dangerous scorer… he’s a combo guard who can explode any night without warning… Is he a “1” or a “2”… lacks great size to be an effective “2” guard in the pros… also lacks playmaking ability to be able to play the point guard spot effectively well in the pros… he’s also not known as a defensive player but could get a chance from teams looking for an instant scorer off the bench.
7. Joferson Gonzales 6'2" OG Mapua Institute of Technology
He’s a shooter with great size… played varsity ball for the Mapua Tech Cardinals.
8. John Bombeo 6'1" OG San Beda College
Does nothing fancy nor spectacular… plays it simple but works hard on both the offensive and defensive end… a role player nonetheless… could be a longshot to be drafted.
9. Frederick “Derrick” Hubalde 6'1" OG University of Sto. Tomas
Brother Paolo was drafted in the first round two years ago after a stellar rookie camp… hopes to follow the same route but still a longshot to be drafted… he's hoping maybe Ginebra coach Jong Uichico (one who drafted Paolo) is again interested.
10. Donald Tadena 6’2” OG Rizal Tech / Holy Cross of Davao College
A three-point specialist from the MVBA… native of Cagayan de Oro… his ticket to the pros will be his three-point shooting which is already somewhat of a lost art in the PBA... he's a key player for the Manny Pacman Warriors but he will be quite a longshot to be drafted.
POINT GUARDS
1. Ryan Reyes 6'1" PG Cerritos College
The next great Fil-Am guard to invade the PBA after Ricky Brown, Jimmy Alapag, Jeffrey Cariaso, and Mark Caguioa… created quite a stir in the PBL with his deft outside shooting, fearless penetration down the lane, and excellent feel for the game… Has the size, athleticism and playmaking skills to be able to play both backcourt spots with ease… a cross between Jeffrey Cariaso and Jimmy Alapag… led the PBL in steals the past campaign.
2. Jonas Villanueva 6'1" PG Far Eastern University
Was already a highly-touted guard even before he saw action for the FEU Tamaraws in the UAAP… great peripheral vision and looks quite a natural when he’s handling the ball and dishing it to open teammates… strong perimeter shooter with great accuracy on the three ball.
3. Marvin Cruz 5'8" PG University of the Philippines
Probably the most exciting guard to come out of the amateur ranks since Johnny Abarrientos… despite standing only 5’8”, he is one of the better rebounding guards in the country… a statbuster – scores, grabs rebounds, generates steals, and even blocks shots despite his diminutive size… MVP of the 2007 SEABA tourney… very very fast and can change the complexion of a game with his speed, hustle and gung-ho attitude.
4. Mark “Macky” Escalona 5'11" PG Ateneo de ManilaRose to become one of the point guards in the amateur circuit… lurked behind the shadows of LA Tenorio but he was handed down the cudgels by the school last year, hew wasted no time in proving he has what is takes to be a top-flight point guard in the pros… has a great size to run the point… highly-improved perimeter shooting and decision making make him a valued prospect at “1”
5. Khiel Misa 5'10" PG University of Perpetual Help-RizalA scoring point guard… led the NCAA in average points last year and was also one of the league leaders in assists and stills… looks up to Alaska guard and fellow Olongapo native Willie Miller… he’s one of the best guards to come out of the NCAA ranks since Boyet Bautista last year… he's unlikely to be drafted in the first round because this year's draft is deep in point guards.
6. Mark Moreño 5'10" PG West Negros College
Former UM Wildcat who is making a name in the PBL as a true blue playmaker… ranks among the league leader in assists and steals… not a scoring threat… needs to improve his free throw accuracy and perimeter shooting to have a pro future… in a league where there are less and less pure point guards, he stands out and will be valuable to teams lacking in a true playmaker.
7. Daryl Pepito 5'10" PG St. Edwards College
A flashy guard from Australia… played for the Hornsby Spiders in the Australian Basketball Association… member of the RAL Kabayan Titans who saw action against the PBA Legends in an exhibition held 2 years ago in Sydney, Australia…. Other than that, there is not much information about him… he need to impress scouts in draft camp to earn draft consideration
8. Ronnie Zagala 6’0” PG FEU/PSBAcombo guard who can heat up pretty quick… applied for the draft two years ago but withdrew his name from consideration... unless he performs out-of-this-world in the rookie camp, he's unlikely to be drafted.
9. Alex Angeles 5'8" PG San Beda CollegeStarting point guard for last year’s NCAA champions San Beda Red Lions… Needs to have a strong rookie camp to be able to gain the nod of scouts.
Next week, I'll give you an analysis each team's needs and my mock draft version of the 2007 PBA Draft.
August 15th, 2007 02:22
August 26th, 2007 23:00