Friday, June 15, 2012
A week ago, I started my new Then and Now segment in preparation for
the PBA Draft. I am going to recount
the last five years I blogged the event at HOOPS.BLINK.PH.
I love the draft because it gives me a chance to predict (wrongly) and check
out the stars and the busts of the league.
Welcome to my Then and Now
article about the 2008 PBA Draft.
Reliving this draft’s ceremonies, I hated the fact that the league would resort
to Mocha, a sexy novelty act, to wow
the audience. Sure, she does appeal to some… but I expected the PBA fans to
check out better-sounding acts like the OPM bandmania.
Anywho, what you’re going to
see are 1) my reaction when the guy was
drafted by the team, 2) my reaction
after the guy was drafted, and 3) what
happened to his career at present.
You can check out my ORIGINAL
ARTICLE BY CLICKING THIS LINK!
Game starts now.
First round
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1 – RAIN OR SHINE:
GABE NORWOOD
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2008
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2012
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THE!?!?! When Welcoat
lost and lost and lost, they hoped to find a star player. They got what they
wanted and Norwood could definitely fill all their gaps. Especially in the PG
spot… because this team desperately sucks on that spot. He’s a sure pick for
Top Rookie and he’ll give his team at least a couple of wildcard phase moments.
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With a new name, a new look,
and a new superstar, Rain or Shine went from cellar dwellers to championship
contenders. This is why the entry of Norwood is extremely important. Norwood
also brought star power to the squad. Mr. President came from Team Pilipinas
with a lot of accolades and he brought his livewire awesomeness to the pros.
People are saying Gabe Norwood needs to assert himself more on offense. I
agree. Years past his debut, his scoring took a major hit. But the nice thing
about the guy is he is a facilitator first and a scorer when needed. This is
why even with his stat drop Norwood is still the team’s leader.
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2 – TALK N TEXT: JARED
DILLINGER
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2008
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2012
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Dillinger solves TNT’s
lack of SF goodness. An SF that stands 6’5 would very much be TNT’s answer
for Danny Seigle. He has speed, size, and versatility – everything that would
make Chot Reyes giggly. He’ll also get a surprisingly huge chunk of minutes.
Why? Pick Three is next.
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Chot Reyes should be happy if
he looks at his bench and finds Dillinger in it. The Daredevil is one Chot
Reyes’ key constituents alongside Jayson Castro, Harvey Carey, and Larry
Fonacier. Dillinger can fly, has the size and speed to guard four positions,
and isn’t afraid to shoot the important baskets. However, it seems as if
Dillinger could have had a better PBA career once he goes to a team that he
can carry. Make no mistake JD has the tools to start for any team. The only
question here is whether he wants individual accolades or a grand slam feat.
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3 – TALK N TEXT: JAYSON
CASTRO
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2008
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2012
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So TNT has three first
round picks? Three straight first round picks? Castro’s entry will take Jimmy
Alapag’s minutes. The former PCU Dolphin will give steady points and steady
orchestrations at the PG spot. However, Castro could be playing in Singapore
at this point. He was absent at the event and one would wonder whether he’ll
play this season. San Miguel on the other hand, will be happy getting Jay
Washington. Washington is a big shooting forward like Danny Seigle. With
Danny Ildefonso also out at the start of the season, Washington’s entry could
do wonders in their aging frontline.
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At first one would say that
this trade is imba if Castro turns out to be a bust. Fact is Castro is NOT a
bust. Sure, trading Washington for a draft pick then and now seems puzzling,
but Castro brought his championship magnetism to the fray. His entry to the
team started Talk N Text’s era of good feeling. After his contract was bought
off from the Singapore Slingers (that payment was Al Vergara), little by
little he started sharing the playmaking duties with Jimmy Alapag. This
translated to a lot of finals appearances and Finals MVP awards.
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4 – TALK N TEXT: ROB
REYES
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2008
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2012
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Reyes will have a tough
time getting minutes from a squad loaded with big men. However, all of TNT’s
big men thrive in the PF spot with the exemption of Yancy De Ocampo. Eric
Reyes’ nephew could have a moment to shine here since Chot Reyes has no
confidence on The Postman.
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Of all the rookies that
played for Talk N Text during that season, it was Reyes who had it worst.
Just when you think he’ll get dibs on the position vacated by Jay Washington,
he merely struggled on his game. This started is journeyman career where he
saw pit stops in Barako Bull, Powerade, and Petron. This statement could
either be bad or good but Eric Reyes still has the better career of the two.
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5 – ALASKA: SOLOMON
MERCADO
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2008
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2012
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Like I said, Mercado
will be the team’s next Jeff Cariaso. Could play point and SG and could be a
tolerable player at SF if Tim Cone decides to do a three-guard scenario. Cone
could have gunned for Borboran but Mercado’s entry should make their
Amerasian connection (Willie Miller) invulnerable.
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Alaska never saw how helpful
Mercado will be to their squad because they traded him to ROS alongside Eddie
Laure for Joe Devance. This started Rain or Shine’s rise to the top. It also
started the Fire and Ice tandem that had him teaming up against bosom bud
Gabe Norwood. Mercado is an extremely impressive scorer as Norwood is the
facilitator but Sol-Train can pass and rebound when the situation arises.
This partnership soured because of coaching issues and it resulted to Mercado
getting traded to Meralco where he joined another scoring demon in Macmac
Cardona.
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6 – AIR21: MARK
BORBORAN
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2008
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2012
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Borboran has size,
something that Air21 needs to address. With Ervin Sotto and Homer Se as the
only clear inside operators, Borboran’s entry could help the Express’ cause.
The Express gets a player with size and speed. Like I said earlier, I call
this guy a baby version of Arwind Santos. I doubt though if his selection is
enough to solve their frontline woes.
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Maybe tagging his name
alongside Arwind Santos is wrong. In some ways, the guy turned small forward
when he entered the PBA so the rebounds he had during college weren’t
translated in the PBA. Worse, he was traded to Alaska for JR Quinahan where
Tim Cone has the knack to use less of his young turks in favor for his
established veterans. When he adapted to Cone’s system though, Borboran
enjoyed the best years of his career. He is currently playing for the Meralco
Bolts.
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7 – PUREFOODS: BEAU
BELGA
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2008
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2012
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Hmmm… interesting choice
because I did not see this coming. Perhaps with Romel Adducul’s status, the
former PCU Dolphin could get adequate playing time. I don’t think it’s a good
choice but I hope Purefoods use him. Belga is also young and raw… something
that could either work or spell doom for his future.
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If I keep predicting like
this, it would spell doom to my basketball blogging future. Sure, Beau Belga
and Ryan Gregorio do not mesh (as seen with their allegiances in Purefoods
and Meralco), but for Yeng Guiao, this guy is godsend. Patrolling the paint
with his built and the yearnings to overachieve, this young bruiser reminds a
lot of people of a taller version of Noli Locsin. His offense might need
refining but another scary fact about this guy is that he is only 25 years
old as of this writing. A well-known late bloomer in the PBA is Abet Guidaben
and we know how his career turned out. Basically once he gets out of his
secondary role and starts developing an offensive moveset, this guy will have
a solid career.
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8 – SAN MIGUEL: BONBON
CUSTODIO
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2008
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2012
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Ows? This guy made the first
round? I was thinking he’ll be in the second round because he had been quiet
for a year or so (or after that game-throwing controversy). So this must be
Olsen Racela’s new project especially now that he is nearing retirement.
Anyway, after that UAAP debacle, Custodio needs a team that could re-start
his erstwhile-halted career. Although I knew SMB would get a guard, I thought
they’ll be getting either Escobal or Tang.
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Custodio unleashed his sick
speed and penchant to score at will during his rookie season with the
Beermen. Although he minutes grew less, it was enough for teams to check him
out. He joined Sta. Lucia via swap for Joseph Yeo and did his thing before
going to Alaska as a pseudo-replacement for Larry Fonacier. While he is too
volatile to trust during end game situations and he has yet to take a shot he
didn’t like, he can still be a valuable asset when he needs to.
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9 – RED BULL: LARRY
RODRIGUEZ
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2008
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2012
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DAMMIT I LOVE THIS PICK!
He is a legitimate big man with a lot of skills! Red Bull looks for star
players, and I think Rodriguez could have a shot with Yeng Guiao mentoring
him. Remember Ronjay Buenafe, the unknown guy from a third-rate collegiate
league? I thought he’ll be in the second round but I really, really love
this! I know RB is going to get him for sure but I never thought he’d be
selected in the first round!
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Larry Rodriguez is one of
those players that will do whatever it takes just to find his spot in the
PBA. During his rookie season he was one of Yeng Guiao’s favorites because he
can score, defend, and will not back down from anyone. When Red Bull traded
their best players, Rodriguez still found himself playing exceptional
basketball in Powerade and now is currently playing for Rain or Shine where
he is reunited with Yeng Guiao and draft batchmate Jeff Chan.
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10 – STA. LUCIA: KELVIN
GREGORIO
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2008
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2012
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I did not expect
Gregorio to BE in the first round. Well, I did not expect THREE UE Warriors
in the first round! While I rather want SLR to get a guard, it just came to
my attention that the Realtors are looking for players to rest their aging
post-up vets. I doubt that Gregorio would be happy playing in the post
because I see him actually as a player that would settle for mid-range
jumpers and I think he needs to re-learn his basketball in order to be an
inside threat.
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His selection was one of the
reasons why I felt the Realtors botched the 2008 PBA Draft. Kelvin Gregorio
was barely used and his rookie season and was rarely used in the next. I
don’t know if they were looking for a small forward or a power forward but
definitely Gregorio was not what the doctor ordered for SLR. He has since saw
action for the Philippine Patriots.
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Second round
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11 – TALK N TEXT: PONG
ESCOBAL
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2008
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2012
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TNT, is lion-dancing!
Finally, another right answer! And finally, another Lion that would play
under the Pangalinan-backed franchise. No surprise here, although Escobal’s
entry to the draft is really surprising since he could have stuck a bit
longer in the PBL. With Jimmy Alapag, Donbel Belano, Kelani Ferreria, and now
Jason Castro, the Pals are overloaded with PG’s. Cardona could also play
point so I guess two of these guys could wind up in the free agent pool.
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The guy needs a home. Talk N
Text took a lot of San Beda guys but unfortunately for these kids, TNT can’t
offer them playing time. Escobal was then shipped to Sta, Lucia (that became
Meralco) but he is still struggling with his gameplay. He then was sent to
Barako Bull in time for the team to take a leave of absence but get loaned to
B-Meg. He is now playing for the Air21 Express where he is still searching
for his game.
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12 – RAIN OR SHINE: TY
TANG
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2008
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2012
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Tang was expected to be
in the first round but this is another player that could help Rain or Shine.
He loves to play in tumultuous situations. If Caloy Garcia tries to put
Norwood as a SG, then Tang could be a good starting PG for the Elasto Painters.
Great pickup by the Painters (bad team moniker though. Ugh… Elasto Painters?!?!)
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This spitfirish guard is
haunted by injuries throughout his PBA career. While there were times that
Tang was destined to explode, something happens that stops his intensity from
igniting. He is still playing for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters but the
possibility of him leading the squad is off the table with Paul Lee in –
thereby igniting roars of a possible reunion with Franz Pumaren in Air21.
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13 – AIR21: CHOLO VILLANUEVA
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2008
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2012
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Not good. Sure,
Villanueva is an intense player but he is not flashy and has less lateral
movement. This pick was early too early. There are other good shooters or
slashers left in the draft that could give Air21 better contributions than
Villanueva. I doubt he’ll be offensive-minded in the PBA. This selection was
synonymous to Pop Cola’s selection of Mon Jose. The guy was picked up to
coach and conduct drills! Jude Turcuato pointed out that this guy got injured
doing a free throw? Not good.
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Again I was right. Villanueva
played for Air21 in his rookie season but afterwards he faded out of
spotlight. He was sent to Ginebra as part of the KG Canaleta deal but was
waived instantly. Villanueva is now part of the Air21 bench as one of Franz Pumaren’s
deputies.
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14 – STA. LUCIA: CHITO
JAIME
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2008
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2012
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Oh no. Tell me this was
a joke. This is definitely not a star name. And although I loved the
Rodriguez selection, I cringed at this guy. This was the same team that took
Melvin Mamaclay in the early second round last year. He has size for one
thing and was a star in a minor-league college team like AMA. He played for
Toyota-Otis. But I would have wanted the Realtors to train Mamaclay and Philip
Butel or take a cannon fodder big guy than get another less-than-stellar big
guy.
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Maybe I was too harsh with
Jaime and for this I apologize. However it’s no secret that Sta. Lucia missed
Jeff Chan for this guy. Like I said, Jaime joined Mamaclay and Butel in the
reserved list and were all gone before Sta. Lucia would change to Meralco.
Jaime though persevered and after a respectable stint with the Philippine
Patriots in the ABL’s second season, he was part of the PBA this season as a
member of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
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15 – ALASKA: KELVIN DELA
PENA
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2008
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2012
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“Dela Pena’s
selection to the Aces is a gift”,
rightfully said by Jude Turcuato. The former NCAA MVP has a knack to scrape
stat points in a given pace. I doubt he’ll be playing prominently
for the Aces but his entry could spell danger for Aaron Aban, Ariel Capus,
and even Larry Fonacier. Dela Pena could have a better standing if he waited
a year or so in the minors. This was the same team that foregone using Bono,
Quinahan, Cabatu, and Aban. Great pick for Alaska, bad landing for Dela Pena.
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I guess teams saw something
we didn’t which is why KDP was picked this late. Still, he could have gone
deeper because minutes were extremely scarce in Alaska. Tim Cone, with all
his tools in place never saw the need of using this former NCAA MVP which in
some ways spelled his doom. Dela Pena was playing for the ABL’s San Miguel
Beermen before he got sidelined with an injury.
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16 – PUREFOODS: JONATHAN
FERNANDEZ
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2008
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2012
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A lethal scorer from NU
that also played for the Harbour National Team. It’s crazy he’s picked in the
latter part of the draft but the Giants could use his skills with Noy
Castillo retiring. Actually Rey Evangelista is also retiring so this means
space in the Purefoods’ roster. With Omanzie Rodriguez, Ardy Larong, Rob
Sanz, and Richard Yee providing Giants depth, expect Fernandez to be a chief
reliever at the SF spot.
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He could have been James
Yap’s backup version. Unfortunately for him, he never really had playing time
with Purefoods/B-Meg. And when he did, he barely made any impact which made
Ryan Gregorio care less about his presence. He played for the Air-Asia
Philippine Patriots in 2012 – a team owned by Mikee Romero, who is also the
owner of Harbour Centre.
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17 – RED BULL: JEFF
CHAN
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2008
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2012
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I get another right
answer! The FEU hotshot withdrew his application last year with hopes to get
a first round selection this year. Problem is 1) he’s in the second round,
and 2) Red Bull has an abundance of SG’s (Baguio, Duncil, Juntilla). Chan
could provide the 3-pointing goodness for Yeng Guiao but I think he’ll move
to the main roster slowly.
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Jeff Chan still plays for
Yeng Guiao but now he is the feared swishing swingman that was initially
expected from Paolo Mendoza. I think his fearless attitude and defensive
prowess claimed him a bunch of minutes. I mean that… and Red Bull then was
pretty shallow. Now with Rain or Shine, he is dominating this season and
could be the second coming of either Al Solis or Elmer Cabahug.
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18 – RED BULL: MARK
CUEVAS
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2008
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2012
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This guy has size. At 6’6,
Guiao needs this guy to dominate the middle. Aside from his Wangs’ stint. I
doubt he did anything worthy for research. While I don’t see anything
terrific in his appearance, he could be the draft’s biggest stunner.
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I think this is what people
get for trusting a player whose biggest break came when he played for Wangs.
I saw Cuevas’ name in some random amateur commercial leagues but not in the
big leagues.
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19 – RED BULL: PASSES
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20 – STA. LUCIA: CHRISTIAN
CABATU
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2008
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2012
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This ex-Benilde is a great
pick for the Realtors although I rather pick him in that 14th spot so that
Sta. Lucia would go and pick the best talent that they will save for the
undrafted free agent pool. Junjun Cabatu is a far better player but he is
stuck in a hellhole we call the Alaska bench. This Cabatu will get all the
minutes he could possibly have but he needs to put his game into heart. This
is also the Cabatu that missed out most of his college career because he
would rather do something else than concentrate in the hardcourt.
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I used up too many words to
describe Cabatu but unlike his brother Junjun, Christian Cabatu never got the
chance to play in the PBA.
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UNDRAFTED
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MARK YEE
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It’s hard to forget Mark Yee
– especially with the way he groped Solomon Grundy’s balls. Sans the
incident, Yee’s snub shocked people. The former San Sebastian-Cavite guard
started his PBA career midway in the 2008-09 season for Burger King and
finished with 8.8ppg and 3.9rpg. He then was sent to Talk N Text and is
currently playing for Ryan Gregorio in Meralco.
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PATRICK CABAHUG
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The nephew of former PBA
sniper Elmer had to wait for a long time and for some reason, he wasn’t given
the opportunity to shine. Joining Air21 in the 2011 Governor’s Cup, he just
played in four games where he averaged 2.3ppg for the Express. He is
currently playing for the ABL’s Westports-Kuala Lumpur Dragons where he is
consistently scoring in double digits.
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LAWRENCE BONUS
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The big man who played
college ball for the St. Francis Doves was signed by the Coca-Cola Tigers in
the 2008-09 PBA season. Bonus played two games for the Tigers and ended up
with averages of 2.0ppg and 3.5rpg.
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The 2008 PBA Draft is filled
with stars but the Man of the Batch
will end up in the arms of Jayson Castro. The Fire and Ice combo of Norwood and
Mercado can score the lights out but these guys have yet to reach team
brilliance while Castro has led TNT to title after title. This take also drops
Dillinger who needs to do more in TNT and Jeff Chan who is a couple of years
away from superstardom.
Tune in next week as I check
out the 2009 PBA Draft.
Game over!
