PBA DRAFT REVIEW

FIRST PICK(Powerade): Jayvee Casio

As expected, the best point guard in the draft was the 1st pick of the draft.

SECOND PICK(Rain or Shine): Paul Lee

Another expected draftee, since from the start, ROS wanna get the best talent available.

THIRD PICK(Petron): Chris Lutz

Barako Bull traded Hontiveros, Sharma, and its 3rd pick  for Salvacion, Pennisi, and its 8th pick.

A great move for Petron Boosters, after getting Hontiveros back, they now have a future star forward in Lutz. **There's quite a buzz that Ginebra will have a chance of picking "early" in the draft. If  SMC really wanted to improve Ginebra, they've should given the 3rd pick to Ginebra in exchange of their 9th pick and another player. **

FOURTH PICK(Powerade): Marcio Lassiter

A good pick for powerade, now they will not only rely in David's shoulder but now they have Casio and the spitfire Lassiter.

FIFTH PICK(Shopinas): Andy Barroca

Still confused if Barroca's right will go to Bmeg, but as much as Shopinas is concern, this was a good pick for them. As what I said in my mock draft, Barroca is a guard you want to build your team with.

SIXTH PICK(Alaska): Mac Baracael

Still believes that Lutz is the best guy fits in Coach tim's Triangle, but it's not bad to get a hardworker power forward in Baracael.

SEVENTH PICK(Meralco): Jason Ballesteros

With aging center in the man of Asi Taulava, getting Ballesteros is good choice for them, it's nice to see Ballesteros with a coach that pursue on Defense.

EIGHT PICK(Barako): Allein Maliksi

It not a bad pick for Barako, Allein is a good pick, the first d-league MVP, can play 2 or 3 that can compliment with his co-thomasian and Barako's 10th pick, Dylan Ababou. I expect Maliksi to be the back up forward of elmer espiritu.

NINTH PICK(Ginebra): Reil Cervantes

The best ready made big man available, some BGK fans doesn't want him, but he is a swagger, and that personality fits in the Ginebra roster. I expect Cervantes to remain in the team. it's time for Ginebra to get young.

TENTH PICK( Barako): Dylan Ababou

I can't believe that Dylan was chosen number 10, but it's not bad at all, being the former 2x PBA MVP Miller as his teacher gives Ababou a chance to be a beast in scoring AGAIN.

11TH Pick(Shopinas): Magi Sison

12TH Pick(Tnt): Pamboy Raymundo

13TH Pick(Alaska): Eric Salamat

14TH Pick(Alaska): Julius Pasculado

15TH Pick(Alaska): Ariel Mepana

16TH Pick(Bmeg): Brian Ilad 

17TH Pick(Meralco): Gilbert Bulawan

18TH Pick(Ginebra): James Martinez 

19TH Pick(Barako): Ken Acibar 

20TH Pick(Barako): Paul Sorongon

21ST Pick(Powerade): Mark Agustin

Other Players who got drafted:

Marc Cagoco(Shopinas), Filemon Fernandez(Petron), and Gerald Lapuz(Petron)

WINNER OF THE DRAFT: PETRON

After having the returning Hontiveros, they get an uprising star in Chris Lutz

LOSER OF THE DRAFT: GINEBRA AND BMEG

I thought BMEG will choose in the 5th pick? But still its Shopinas who got the pick.

Ginebra fans expected so much, but why did SMC treating Ginebra this way? I expect off-season changes.

STEAL OF THE DRAFT: PAMBOY RAYMUNDO

Pamboy is a smart PG, and having him with the likes of Alapag and Castro will just make this rookie a good PG someday.

" Philip Zuñiga is a graduate of Philippine Normal University. He is a certified sports fan since 1996. "

2011 Mock Draft

The PBA 36th season comes to an end last night. And everyone are now focused to the 36 applicants for the 2011 Annual Draft. Our group thought of giving you guys a mock draft for the first round.

The batch of applicants this Annual Draft is definitely one of the deepest in the last 10 years. That's why this draft is really interesting. Let us now start:

FIRST PICK : POWERADE

Philippe's Choice: PG 5-9 JV CASIO

Powerade pointguards: Celino Cruz, Jai Reyes, and Chico Lanete

Although their PG's are respectable, we can see that none of the three can ease the weight that Gary David has on his shoulder. That's why they need a young, stable and clutch pointguard. That's why there's no doubt JV Casio is the right person for the job.

SECOND PICK: RAIN OR SHINE

Philippe's Choice: PG/SG 6-0 PAUL LEE

The Elasto Painters already has a complete line-up. They have the man power needed in every position. And therefore getting the best talent available will be their motto in this Sunday's draft. Definitely the former hotshot of UE Red Warriors fits the job. Having Paul Lee will give them a scoring dimension that will compromise to their star Gabe Norwood creating talent. With Paul and Buenafe alternating in SG position, it will give a big boost for the Painter's campaign next season.

THIRD PICK: AIR 21

Philippe's Choice: PF/C 6-6 JASON BALLESTEROS

After giving their quality big men away in last season(Jay R Reyes, Al-Hussaini, Baclao) and already have man power in the guard position ( Hontiveros, Miller, Artadi, Arboleda), It's time for air21 to get a quality big man again. Having Salvador, Pena, and Sharma is not enough if they want to be competitive for the next season. Yes, Ballesteros is a bench warmer for our RP team, but let us not forget, he is a former Main Man for the SSC Stags, and the most important thing is he is DEFENDING our Naturalized Player Marcus Douthit and former PBA MVP Asi Taulava in practice. Now, do Jason deserve the 3rd pick? definitely YES.

FOURTH PICK : POWERADE

Philippe's Choice: SF 6-3 MARCIO LASSITER

Having bad games since the Ginebra-Smart Gilas semifinal series of the PBA's Commisioners Cup gives Marcio Lassiter a bad impression for this year's draft. Choker is one word that defines Marcio's game for the last 3 months. But let us not forget he can score 20-30 points every given night if he wants to. He just need to regain his confidence and with that maybe the Scoring Side of Marcio will return. He is also a good defender with good leaping ability. Having him, Casio and Sean Anthony will really give the franchise's fans reasons to smile.

FIFTH PICK : SHOPINAS

Philippe's Choice: PG 5-10 ANDY BARROCA

For a rebulding team like Shopinas, and having Franz Pumaren as their coach, it is a wise move to get a ready made point guard like Andy. Him as the primary court general of Shopinas will give Franz pumaren an easier job.

SIXTH PICK : ALASKA

Philippe's Choice: SF/SG 6-3 CHRIS LUTZ

Lutz is a good defender, smart player and a shooter. That is what alaska needed, a smart player that will fit to their triangle offense. I can see the second coming of Tony DelaCruz with a wider range.

SEVENTH PICK : TALK N TEXT

Philippe's Choice: PG/SG 5-11 ERIC SALAMAT

TNT is a COMPLETE team. But one problem that exposed in the Petron-Tnt series is their lack of PG's. Castro and Alapag is not enough. Ryan Reyes is better playing the two spot. That's why getting Salamat will solve Tnt's problem. And remember, Eric's a former eagle ;)

EIGHT PICK : PETRON

Philippe's Choice: SG/SF 6-3 DYLAN ABABOU

A scoring guard is needed by Petron, after the departure of dondon, this is the obvious position needed to be fill in. There will be no import this time. Duncil and Hubalde will return to their original mother team, and Ababou is the perfect choice.

NINTH PICK : GINEBRA

Philippe's Choice: SF/PF 6-4 MARNEL BARACAEL

As much as Ginebra needed a taller big man, It is a sin to disregardMarnel as their 9th pick. Marnel defines the true character of a BGK player. Hussle, Attitude, Heart. Having him in the team will be a big help for the aging kings.

TENTH PICK : AIR21

Philippe's Choice: C 6-7 MAGI SISON

Remember 2002 when this same franchise chose St. Francis of Assisi's stalwart Yancy De Ocampo? Magi looks like Yancy's carbon copy, but a smaller and agile big man. He is the next best big man after ballesteros. But we will not be surprised if he get traded on that same day.

This is only our choices feel free to comment.

See you on August 28 2011..

" Philip Zuñiga is a graduate of Philippine Normal University. He is a certified sports fan since 1996. "