PBA Draft: Grades are In (part 1)

The Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft 2008 was held recently at the Market Market Activity Center and it's time to grade the teams. Please note that the grades are reflective of the teams' offseason moves, like draft picks and trades, not how well they will play in the season.

Air 21 Express ( Grade: B)

Notable Additions: Mark Borboran (draft pick 1st round), Cholo Villanueva (draft pick 2nd round)
Notable Subtractions: None so far

Notes: With teams that reach finals series, very little or no subtractions might be as important as additions. Air 21 has kept its core intact and added another mobilie big in Mark Borboran and a tough swing man in Villanueva. Borboran will figure into the mix as Air 21 likes to play big. His top 5 ranking in blocks and steals in the PBL will definitely please coach Bo Perasol as Air 21 continues to attempt to improve its defense. Villanueva may have to struggle for his minutes as the Express are loaded at the 2 and 3 positions, unless he can prove that he can play the point guard position.

Alaska Aces (Grade: C)

Notable Additions: Kelvin de la Pena (draft pick, 2nd round), Joe Devance (trade from Rain or Shine)
Notable Subtractions: Solomon Mercado (trade to Rain or Shine)

Notes: Alaska has always been about Tim Cone's triangle offense, so they almost always pick what they need and not necessarily the best player left. When they picked Solomon Mercado, I thought that was a great choice and fitting substitute for the aging Jeff Cariaso, but they quickly traded him for Joe Devance. The 2007 1st overall pick, despite having a good shooting touch for a big man, spent a rather disappointing year in Welcoat, especially when he clashed with the coaching staff. Cone says he fills a need, but they would have been better off with Mercado. Devance is still more of a shooter at the three position, where they already have Tony de la Cruz. Their need was a big man to replace aging rebounding demons Jon Ferriols and Reynel Hugnatan, and Devance has not proven he can do that. If Cone can rein in Devance and utilize his size and shooting skills well, this will look like a great choice. That is a big if, though. Kelvin de la Pena was a solid PBL player for Noosa Shoes, and if he can demonstrate that he can learn Cone's system immediately, he may yet become a good back up guard for the Aces.

Baranggay Ginebra Kings (Grade: INC)

Notable Additions: None so far
Notable Subtractions: Johnny Abarientos (retirement)

Notes: Being the recent champs, not too much movement was expected of GInebra and giving away their picks helped make sure that exactly that would happen. Nevertheless, Ginebra's line up looks very formidable already, so changes may not be necessary in the near future. Coach Jong Uichico has mentioned his interest in seeking a trade though.

Coca Cola Tigers (Grade: INC)

Notable Additions: None so far
Notable Subtractions: None so far.

Notes: The Tigers traded away picks so they joined Ginebra as inactive teams in the draft. This makes them ungradable at this point. What they can look forward to though, is a full year of Asi Taulava with this team and the possible full emergence of last year's steal of the draft, Ron Jay Buenafe. It was a prudent move to dispatch aging vets Kenneth Duremdes and Jon Arigo to the bench and go for a litlle youth. Without any additions, though, the team may be hard pressed to win it all, especially in the All FIlipino Conference.

Purefoods Giants (Grade: B+)

Notable Additions: Beau Belga (draft 1st round), Jonathan Fernandez (2nd round), Rommel Adducul (back from illness)
Notable Subtractions: Rey Evangelista, Noy Castillo (retirement)

Notes: The Giants' frontcourt will now a get a big boost with the anticipated return of Rommel Adducul and the addtion of Beau Belga. Belga a 6'6" rookie from Harbour Center, was one of the team's key players in their finals victory. He and the comebacking Adducul will give Kerby Raymundo and Enrico Villanueva the back ups they sorely missed last conference. Meanwhile, Jonathan Fernandez three point shooting in the PBL, (over 46%) will be a big help, since James Yap is the team's only pure shooter. Purefoods, though, might have benefitted more from picking a point guard to help run their offense. Roger Yap has done well, but a true, pass-first point guard will help them achieve a title run. The Giants didn't get to pick early, but they did make good use of their picks.

(part 2 to be posted soon)