PBA Scores, News and Updates

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Season of celebrations kicks off Nov. 17

SYDNEY – The Philippine Basketball Association celebrates the resurgence of the country in Asian basketball with grand festivities on opening day of its Season 39 highlighted by three matches in Manila, Cebu and Davao on Nov. 17.

Talk n Text opens its quest for a Philippine Cup “four-peat” versus Meralco at the New Cebu Coliseum while newly crowned Governors’ Cup champ San Mig Coffee tests the mettle of a new-look Barangay Ginebra San Muguel team at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The innovative PBA inaugurals also feature a game in Davao City pitting Commissioner’s Cup titleholder Alaska versus Rain or Shine.

This grand Season 39 opening-day extravaganza, the season calendar and import ceilings in the second and third conferences were among those approved on the continuation of the planning session by the PBA Board of Governors at The Westin here Wednesday.

On the sideline of the summit Wednesday morning, GlobalPort and Petron Blaze closed a trade deal involving guards Chris Ross and Denok Miranda.

Ross left the Batang Pier camp without playing a single regular PBA game with the Mikee Romero-owned ball club. GlobalPort acquired Ross in an earlier trade transaction with Meralco.

New PBA Board chairman Mon Segismundo vowed they would leave no stone unturned as they try to sustain the league’s incredible run in a year marked by the country’s return stint in the world championship.

He said several innovations and landmark activities are in store for the season, including the send-off for Gilas Pilipinas that competes in the 17th FIBA World Cup in Spain in September next year.

Of course, members of the national squad play for their respective PBA mother teams before regrouping as a band of brothers for the world meet –the country’s first in 36 years.

The league plays four play days (Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) a week in a calendar purposely cramped by the Commissioner’s Office to give the Nationals some time to prepare for a respectable showing in Spain.

Segismundo is hopeful Gilas Pilipinas will land in the Top 16.

It’s still a three-conference season featuring a long all-Filipino tourney and the two import-laced sprints (the Commissioner’s and the Governors’ Cups).

The height ceilings for imports allow the return of Best Import winners Eric Dozier (Alaska) and Marqus Blakely (San Mig Coffee).

The Commissioner’s Cup limit is 6-foot-9 and the Governors’ Cup cap remains at 6-foot-5.

An innovation in height limit for imports in the second conference is the “equalizer rule.”

“To further equalize or balance the strength of the 10 teams, the last two placers in the Philippine Cup will be allowed to field an import with a limit of 6-foot-11 in the Commissioner’s Cup,” said commissioner Chito Salud.

For the record, the league allowed imports of unlimited height in the Commissioner’s Cup in the last two years.

The Philippine Cup calls for an inter-intra competition in the eliminations where competing teams play 14 games each. The top eight advance to the playoffs.

It also calls for the division of the 10 teams into two groups. Groupmates play just once and play teams from the other group twice. Air21, Alaska, Barangay Ginebra, Petron and Rain or Shine make up  Group A while Barako Bull, GlobalPort, Meralco, San Mig Coffee and Talk n Text compose Group B.

It’s the same format used in the last Philippine Cup which ended with Talk n Text completing “an All-Filipino three-peat” on a four-game sweep of Rain or Shine in the Finals.

From Inquirer.net

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Texters to begin 4-peat campaign vs Bolts

MANILA, Philippines – Talk 'N Text will kick off its Philippine Cup title retention bid when it takes on Meralco in the opening day of the Philippine Basketball Association's (PBA) Season 39 on November 17.

The Texters are gunning for a fourth-straight All-Filipino title when they square off with the Bolts at the New Cebu Coliseum.

In its most recent title win, Talk 'N Text swept Rain or Shine, 4-0, in their best-of-7 Philippine Cup championship series.

Also featured on PBA's opening day will be a hardcourt clash between reigning Governors' Cup champion San Mig Coffee and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and a match between Commissioner's Cup titlist Alaska and Rain or Shine.

The Mixers versus Gin Kings match will take place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, while the Aces versus Elasto Painters joust will be staged in Davao City.

From ABS-CBNnews.com

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Caguioa opens up on Ginebra’s shot at PBA Draft

MANILA, Philippines – Talks are ripe Barangay Ginebra would acquire Barako Bull’s rights for the No. 4 pick in the 2013 PBA Rookie Draft through a trade deal that is part of the Kings’ massive buildup in an effort to be a real championship contender in the coming PBA season.

Outspoken Ginebra top gun Mark Caguioa fanned Friday these talks on his thoughts posted on his Twitter account.

Caguioa also made known his preference for the team to make 7-foot-1 behemoth Greg Slaughter the first choice overall in the annual draft set tomorrow at Robinson’s Place Ermita.

“Let me ask u. Would u drive to the basket if u see a 7’0 in front of u? Hell noh. Hehe,” Caguioa tweeted in support of a Slaughter pick instead of anybody.

Told by a Twitter follower that Slaughter barely jumps, Caguioa answered: “Cge tanungin rin kita kung 7’0 ka ba, tatalon ka rin ba? (Let me ask you, if you are 7’0, do you still need to jump?)”

It’s a foregone conclusion, though, that Slaughter, Ian Sangalang and Raymond Almazan will be the top three picks by Ginebra, San Mig Coffee and Rain or Shine, respectively, on Sunday.

The fourth pick would depend on whether PBA commissioner Chito Salud approves the reported trade plans of Barako Bull.

Apparently, the Barako Bull management has committed to trade its rights on the Nos. 4, 5 and 6 picks to Barangay Ginebra, Petron Blaze and Globalport, respectively.

Caguioa hinted it’s a done deal. “And abut the 4th pick I really don’t know who wer going to get,” he tweeted.

Ginebra is in a rebuilding process, first acquiring young center JayR Reyes for Kerby Raymundo then getting sophomore guard Emman Monfort for third-string playmaker Rob Labagala.

“The management is doing whatever it takes for all the millions and millions of fans of Ginebra to win a championship,” said Caguioa.

Once Slaughter comes in, Ginebra’s frontcourt will be as formidable as its backcourt featuring Caguioa, LA Tenorio, Monfort and Jayjay Helterbrand.

At the paint, Slaughter is to form an imposing Twin Tower with former Gilas Pilipinas teammate Japeth Aguilar. Help will come from Reyes, Billy Mamaril, Chris Ellis, Rico Maierhofer, Mac Baracael and William Wilson.

The team is likely to bolster its wing roster should it acquire the fourth pick.

Caguioa is happy with the camaraderie they’ve developed in their team, speaking highly of team manager Alfrancis Chua and role he plays.

“Why is this team so close? It’s because of coach Al. He plays an active role. He’s always helping coach Ato (Agustin) and the players,” said Caguioa.

“We eat together, laugh together. That’s why it’s sad when there’s one who gets traded. But we understand that part,” Caguioa added.

From philStar.com

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Cone quick to shoot down rumor San Mig planning to trade rights to Sangalang to Ginebra in three-team deal

SAN Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone was quick to shoot down rumors that the Mixers plan to pick Ian Sangalang with the second selection overall so they can trade him to Barangay Ginebra.

Rumors spread on the eve of the rookie draft about an alleged plan for Ginebra to trade Dylan Ababou to Barako Bull for the fourth pick overall, which will then be used to pick former UAAP MVP RR Garcia who will then be sent to San Mig for the rights to Sangalang.

Cone, who is on vacation with his family in Subic, immediately nipped the rumor in the bud, saying San Mig has no plan to give away Sangalang when the team tabs the former San Sebastian star at No. 2 overall.

“We’re not gonna do Ginebra any favor by trading to them Ian, that’s for sure,” Cone said.

Cone, now tied with the legendary Baby Dalupan for the all-time league record of 15 titles after leading the Mixers to the last Governors Cup championship, said he is certain that Sangalang is bound to become one of the best players to come out of the 2013 batch.

“I think, It (the best choice in this pool) is a toss-up between Ian and Slaughter at number one. We just have to get him at number two. Slaughter, I believe, is going to Ginebra,” he added.

Cone bared that he has long kept an eye on the versatile Kapampangan from his college days with San Sebastian to his stint in the PBA D-League.

“I’ve seen him play there. And also in the D-League. He is an accomplished big man,” he said. “I think of all the people in the draft, he could step in and be an impact player right away. He’s got the agility to play in and out. He can defend bigger people.

“He can run the floor for a big man. He’s very skilled. To me, he’s the most accomplished player in the draft - the most PBA ready,” added Cone.

Sangalang, meanwhile, is bracing for a tough competition for minutes at San Mig.

“Oo madaming malalaki run. Pero sa akin, kahit saan ako mapunta okay sa akin. Importante maipakita ko worthiness ko na mag PBA,” said Sangalang.

Sangalang also said he has slowly come to accept that his dream of playing for Ginebra will not come true - at least, not on his rookie year.

“Oo, mukhang malabo na ko makuha doon (Ginebra). At ako naman, professional ako. Kahit saan ako mapunta, ibibigay ko 100 percent ko,” he added.

From SPIN.ph

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Suspense builds as whirl of trades set to spice up rookie draft proceedings

THE waiting game ends for the record 79 rookie aspirants on Sunday when the Philippine Basketball Association holds its highly anticipated annual draft at the Robinson’s Place in Malate, Manila.

Commissioner Chito Salud and new league chairman Ramon Segismundo of Meralco will welcome the biggest pool of rookie hopefuls ever since Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league institutionalized the draft in 1985, led by consensus top pick Greg Slaughter.

From an original number of 85 hopefuls, the final roster has been trimmed to 79 after two applicants withdrew while four others were stricken out of the list for failure to give a valid reason for their absence in the traditional rookie biometrics.

Still, the pool of talent remains one of the deepest and most talented seen in years, with the seven-foot Slaughter tipped to emerge as the year’s top overall pick during the proceedings that start at 4 p.m. and will be carried live over TV5.

Unless a last-minute change of heart takes place, the first three places are more or less settled with Slaughter set to be grabbed by Barangay Ginebra, former NCAA MVP Ian Sangalang to go to San Mig at No. 2 and Letran star Raymond Almazan to be made the No. 3 pick overall by Rain or Shine.

However, the proceedings should get pretty interesting after that with trades expected to be announced right on the draft floor for the picks owned by Barako Bull, which at the moment still owns the fourth to sixth selections overall.

Spin.ph has already reported that Barako Bull has agreed to trade the fourth pick to Ginebra for fit-again Dylan Ababou and the No. 5 selection to Petron for Mark Isip and Magi Sison.

Aside from that, there is also a pending trade for Barako Bull's No. 6 pick, which should go to Globalport in exchange for Denok Miranda.

Up until the eve of the draft, Alaska is also on the lookout for a trade for the eighth pick overall, with a trade offer from Talk 'N Text still on the table.

Those pending trades should dictate how the rest of the selections would go in a draft that coaches estimate would yield promising prospects until early in the third round.

Other than the three big men, among the potential first-round prospects include reigning UAAP MVP Terrence Romeo,one-time UAAP MVP RR Garcia, Jeric Teng, James Forrester, Alex Nuyles, Ryan Buenafe, and Nico Salva.

Globalpoort gets a crack at the pool with the seventh pick, followed by Alaska, Rain or Shine, and finally, San Mig Coffee at 10th to end the first-round selection.

Only Petron, Air21, and defending Philippine Cup champion Talk `N Text have no first round pick.

The decrease in the number of rookie roster stemmed from the last-minute withdrawal of Jeff Viernes and Mar Villahermosa.

Meanwhile, those stricken out of the list include Japs Cuan, Mark Berry, Franz Delgado, and Jumel Chien.

From SPIN.ph

[rage955]

Mga sir,pagusapan natin ang PBA draft bukas. Gawa tayo mga mock draft,katuwaan lang.
Ok lang ba mga sir? Post ko yung akin mamaya

[Zurca]

Alaska leaning toward using first-round pick despite Talk 'N Text trade offer

SYDNEY – Alaska is looking to the future as it plans on what to do with its first-round pick in the PBA Rookie Draft this Sunday.

Alaska governor Dickie Bachmann said the Aces are looking to use the No. 8 pick overall on somebody who they hope will pay a handsome return of investment for the franchise a few years from now.

Bachmann said the team is keeping its fingers crossed that marquee players such as Jeric Teng of University of Santo Tomas and tryout invitees Justin Chua, James Forrester, Nico Salva and Ryan Buenafe will still be available by the time Alaska takes its turn during the draft.

“Nothing confirmed yet, but so far, we’re gonna draft. We just don’t know who is available. We don’t know who the other teams are gonna draft. We’re just waiting,” Bachmann said.

The Alaska official admitted the team is already gearing up for the future since some of its stars are not getting any younger.

“We’re also planning for the future - two years, three years down the road. We also have some not-so-old players like Dondon Hontiveros and Tony Dela Cruz,” he added, while stressing the Aces are looking to improve any spots on their roster.

Bachmann admitted the team is keeping an eye on Forrester, the former Arellano University Fil-Canadian guard, but is already conceding the versatile 6-foot-2 guard may be taken already when the Aces take their pick.

“He’s good but I know Forrester will go,” Bachmann said.

Meanwhile, the Alaska team governor admitted a trade with Alaska is seriously being pursued by Talk `N Text through fellow governor Patrick Gregorio.

But Bachmann said Alaska is so far non-committal on the Tropang Texters’ offer.

“Yes (they’re talking to us), but we’re still thinking about it pa. Nothing confirmed yet, because we’re still waiting for Luigi to decide,” said Bachmann who added that should a deal with Talk `N Text be agreed upon, a trade can still be consummated within the next two days before the draft.

“It can be anytime or maybe by tomorrow morning. We also have to get information on WSU (team owner Wilfred Uytengsu). He’s also abroad. We have to inform him also,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Aces will be in Cebu on November 7-9 where they will join a pocket tournament that also include Barako Bull, Globalport, and a team from Davao as part of their pre-season preparations.

From SPIN.ph

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Source: Barako to trade No. 4 pick to Ginebra for Ababou, fifth pick to Petron for subs

JUST hours after giving active consultant Rajko Toroman the pink slip, Barako Bull is set to pull the trigger on two more trades that should shake up the picking order in the coming PBA rookie draft.

Putting premium on experience over youth, the Energy Cola, sources said, are set to trade the fourth pick overall in Sunday's draft to Barangay Ginebra for comebacking forward Dylan Ababou and the No. 5 pick to Petron for rarely used subs Mark Isip and Magi Sison.

The deals, once approved by the Commissioner's Office, will leave Barako Bull without a pick in the first round since it is also set to acquire Denok Miranda from Globalport in exchange for the No. 6 selection overall.

“Binigay na 'yung pick. Gusto nila yung Dylan. Kasi alam nila pagnakakuha ng kumpiyansa ulit yun, mahina ang 10 points na average n'ya kada game,” said the source in trying to make sense of the trades.

Ababou, a former star of University of Santo Tomas and a mainstay of the original Gilas squad, has sat out most of last season due to an ACL injury but has done well for Ginebra in the times that he was healthy.

However, giving him up means Ginebra can get a shot at acquiring blue-chip prospects like Terrence Romeo, RR Garcia, Alex Nuyles, James Forrester, and Jeric Teng.

The transactions should once again fan allegations that Barako Bull is being controlled by San Miguel Corp. and add another twist to the mystery surrounding the sudden departure of Toroman.

However, team insiders said Barako Bull is putting premium on experience as the ballclub prefers to make an impact this season instead of building up for the future.

The team insider also pointed out that Barako Bull has three more first-round picks in next year's draft.

According to a source, the trades are now awaiting the approval of PBA commissioner Chito Salud, who is still with the board of governors in Sydney for its annual planning session.

From SPIN.ph

[rage955]

My PBA 2013 mock draft:
1. Slaughter(BGSM)
2. Sanggalang(SMCM)
3. Almazan(ROS)
4. Romeo(BGSM)
5. Teng(PET)
6. Garcia(GLO)
7. Foresster(GLO)
8. Salva(ALA)
9. Holstein(BGSM,pero tingin ko trade to sa BB,more of this below)
10. Chua

Second Round Notable names:
Fortuna,Buenafe,Poligrates,Usuita,Lastimosa among others.

Possible trades:
9th pick(BGSM) and Urbiztondo to Barako
Possible rin itrade yung 8th pick ng Alaska

[tonistork]

sana wag namang kunin ng Ginebra si Romeo.

May bwaya na nga sila (Caguioa) kukuha pa uli ng isang ball-hog. . wag naman. Dapat pati guards ng Gin Kings, balasahin. Kung ako management, si LA lang itira ko at di ko itrade si Ababou at sya gawin kung starting 2. At kung sa kanila 4th pick, si Teng na lang kunin.

[Zurca]

Breaking its silence, Barako Bull sticks with Ramos as coach, explains Toroman departure

BARAKO Bull has decided to stick with coach Bong Ramos as head coach, just days after giving Serbian coach Rajko Toroman the pink slip and on the day the team is expected to hug the the spotlight in the PBA rookie draft at the Robinsons Place in Malate, Manila.

Barako Bull team manager Raffy Casyao said management felt Ramos is the best man to lead the team in the transition from Toroman, who he said was only hired by the Energy Cola under a short-term arrangement aimed primarily as an apprenticeship for Ramos.

“We chose to stick with the old system. We feel disrupting or adapting a new system with just two weeks to go before the opening might be challenging for us in terms of adjustment,” Casyao told Spin.ph.

“Bong Ramos is the best coach to carry out the plays shared to us by coach Rajko."

At the same time, the amiable Barako official vehemently denied having considered ABL champion coach Leo Austria of San Miguel Beer for the position.

“No, it’s not true. He (Austria) was not considered. Hindi ko nga alam bakit may mga lumabas siyang statement. But that is his opinion,” said Casyao.

Ramos led Air21 Express (Barako Bull’s old franchise) to the semifinals of the Commissioner’s Cup with a ragtag team back in 2011. Ramos also steered the Aspac Texmaco of Indonesia to four straight titles in the National Basketball League.

“He is at par with the present pool of PBA coaches. Coach Bong is respected by our players,” added Casyao.

For his part, Ramos declared his readiness to lead the team which has undergone massive rebuilding the last five days and talked as if a couple of draft-day trades involving the team's fourth, fifth, and sixth picks overall are already as good as done.

The veteran bench tactician said he is excited with the prospect of having Dylan Ababou, Denok Miranda, Robert Labagala, Mark Isip and big man Magi Sison in the team. Labagala came in through the trade for Eman Monfort while the five others are supposed to arrive in trades for picks.

The holdovers are Danny Seigle, Dorian Pena, JC Intal, Elmer Espiritu, Mick Pennisi, Mark Macapagal, Keith Jensen, Ronjay Buenafe and Enrico Villanueva.

“We have a lot of veterans and experienced players in the team. It won’t be hard to put ourselves together on one page. Matatalino na ang mga yan,” said Ramos, who also coached the Brunei Barracudas for two seasons in the ABL.

“It’s just the continuity of our old system. Except for the newcomers, who we are still working on, wala kaming gaanong adjustments.

“Are we the darkhorse? Let’s just say we have the right (mix of) talent,” said Ramos, who was Toroman’s apprentice for 10 months.

Meanwhile, Casyao bared that Toroman was aware that his tenure with Barako Bull is only for one year.

“Since he took over as our team consultant, he knew that the partnership will not last long,” said Casyao, adding Toroman’s contract as team consultant is until February 2014.

"We know coach Rajko won't have a hard time looking for a new team to coach. Kaya we gave him a few months of allowance. He knows one year lang talaga s'ya with us. So we gave him three months of leeway kaysa naman itali pa namin sya hanggang February. That would've been unfair."

A source told Spin.ph that Koy Banal is still set to move from Petron to join the Barako Bull coaching staff.

From SPIN.ph

[Zurca]

2013 PBA Draft Results

As expected, 7-foot center Greg Slaughter was selected first overall by Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. Picking second, San Mig Coffee took former San Sebastian big man Ian Sangalang. Rain or Shine rounded out the top three by grabbing another center, Letran beanpole Raymond Almazan.

Barangay Ginebra acquired the fourth pick from Barako Bull and selected Arellano University’s James Forrester. UAAP MVP Terrence Romeo was picked fifth overall by GlobalPort, which received the pick that Barako Bull traded to Petron Blaze before it was moved again. GlobalPort also acquired Barako Bull’s sixth pick, which they used to select Romeo’s FEU teammate RR Garcia, and used their own seventh pick to take 6-foot-7 big man Isaac Holstein.

Alaska pulled a surprise pick at number eight with Ateneo forward Ryan Buenafe. Rain or Shine selected former Adamson star Alex Nuyles ninth overall and San Mig Coffee closed the first round by selecting Ateneo center Justin Chua with the 10th pick.

In the second round, Ateneo’s Nico Salva was selected 11th overall by GlobalPort and UST’s Jeric Teng fell to Rain or Shine at the 12th spot. Justin Melton (San Mig Coffee), Jeric Fortuna (Barako Bull), JP Erram (Talk ‘N Text), Eric Camson (Air 21), Robby Celiz (Talk ‘N Text), Chris Exciminiano (Alaska), Gayford Rodriguez (Rain or Shine) and Carlo Lastimosa (Barako Bull) rounded out the second round.

First Round

1. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – Greg Slaughter
2. San Mig Coffee Mixers – Ian Sangalang
3. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Raymond Almazan
4. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (from Barako Bull) – James Forrester
5. GlobalPort Batang Pier (from Barako Bull via Petron) – Terrence Romeo
6. GlobalPort Batang Pier (from Barako Bull) – RR Garcia
7. GlobalPort Batang Pier – Isaac Holstein
8. Alaska Aces – Ryan Buenafe
9. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Alex Nuyles
10. San Mig Coffee Mixers – Justin Chua

Second Round

1. GlobalPort Batang Pier – Nico Salva
2. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Jeric Teng
3. San Mig Coffee Mixers – Justin Melton
4. Barako Bull Energy Colas – Jeric Fortuna
5. Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters (from Alaska) – JP Erram
6. Air21 Express – Eric Camson
7. Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters – Robby Celiz
8. Alaska Aces – Chris Exciminiano
9. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Gayford Rodriguez
10. Barako Bull Energy Colas – Carlo Lastimosa

Third Round

1. Air 21 – Joshua Webb
2. GlobalPort – Jopher Custodio
3. Barako Bull- Darwin Cordero
4. GlobalPort (from Ginebra)- LA Revilla
5. Petron – Sam Marata
6. Meralco – Anjo Caram
7. Talk ‘N Text – Eliud Poligrates
8. Alaska – Raymund Ilagan
9. Rain or Shine Ervic Vijandre
10. San Mig Coffee – JR Cawaling

Fourth Round

1. GlobalPort – PASS
2. Air 21 – Angelo Ingco
3. Barako Bull – Jett Vidal
4. Ginebra – John Usita
5. Petron: Nate Matute
6. Meralco: Mike Parala
7. Talk ‘N Text – Oping Sumalinog
8. Alaska – PASS
9. Rain or Shine – PASS
10. San Mig Coffee – PASS

Fifth Round

1. Air 21 -Randolph Chua
2. GlobalPort – PASS
3. Barako Bull – Mike Silungan
4. Ginebra – Alvin Padilla
5. Petron – PASS
6. Meralco – Mark Lopez
7. Talk ‘N Text – Byron Villarias
8. Alaska – PASS
9. Rain or Shine – PASS
10. San Mig Coffee – PASS

Sixth Round

1. GlobalPort – Pass
2. Air 21 – PASS
3. Barako Bull – PASS
4. Ginebra – Jens Knuttel
5. Petron – PASS
6. Meralco – Ron Guevarra
8. Alaska – PASS
9. Rain or Shine – PASS
10. San Mig Coffee – PASS

Seventh Round

1. GlobalPort – PASS
2. Air 21 – PASS
3. Barako Bull – PASS
4. Ginebra – PASS
5. Petron – PASS
6. Meralco – Mark Bringas
8. Alaska – PASS
9. Rain or Shine – PASS
10. San Mig Coffee – PASS

From InterAktv

[Zurca]

Chants of 'Ginebra, Ginebra' as Slaughter made No. 1 pick in surprise-filled PBA draft

GREG Slaughter as expected became the first pick overall of the 2013 PBA rookie draft, chosen by a Barangay Ginebra team that now looks to the 6-foot-11 center to become the dominant big man in the middle the Kings have not had since the glory days of Marlou Aquino.

Slaughter also becomes the second straight Cebuano after former college rival June Mar Fajardo to become head of the draft class in proceedings at the Robinson's Place in Ermita, Manila that took several surprise twists and turns after the top three selections.

Ian Sangalang, as expected, went to San Mig at No. 2 overall and Letran's Raymond Almazan went to Rain or Shine at No. 3, but the draft took a new turn when controversial deals Barako Bull made for the fourth to sixth picks overall were announced by Commissioner Chito Salud on the draft floor.

Barako Bull traded the No. 4 pick to Ginebra for Rico Maierhofer and Willie Wilson - a right the Kings used to select former Arellano standout James Forrester, kicking off the whirl of trades.

The Energy Cola then acquired Mark Isip and Magi Sison in a trade for the No. 5 pick, which Petron in turn sent to Globalport for sophomore Yousef Taha. The Batang Pier turned that pick into flamboyant FEU star Terrence Romeo.

Another trade for the No. 6 pick, which Barako Bull sent to Globalport for Denok Miranda, turned into another former Tamaraw RR Garcia, setting the stage for a reunion between two players who didn't always see eye to eye during their college career.

Globalport pulled off another surprise at No. 7 when it selected Isaac Holstein. Alaska then used the No. 8 pick on former Ateneo star Ryan Buenafe, Rain or Shine grabbed former Adamson standout Alex Nuyles at No. 9 while Jusitn Chua went to San Mig with the 10th pick overall.

The drafting went as far as the seventh round - the first time it happened in league history - with Meralco making Mark Bringas the 44th and final pick overall among a record 79 hopefuls.

Two consensus first-rounders who failed to make the Top 10 were the first to go in the second round, with former Ateneo stalwart Nico Salva going to Globalport at No. 11 overall and former University of Santo Tomas star Jeric Teng going to Rain or Shine at No. 12.

Also, Salva going to Globalport means teaming up with former college rivals Romeo and Garcia.

The rest of the second-round picks were Fil-Am Justin Melton (San Mig), former UST guard Jeric Fortuna (Barako Bull), JP Erram (Talk 'N Text), Eric Camson (Air21), Robby Celiz (Talk 'N Text), Ping Exciminiano (Alaska), Gayford Rodriguez (Rain or Shine) and Carlo Lastimosa (Barako Bull).

Rookie hopefuls selected in the third round include Joshua Webb (Air21), Jopher Custodio (Globalport), Darwin Cordero (Barako Bull), LA Revilla (Globalport, after trading its 2014 first-round pick to Barangay Ginebra in exchange for the Gin Kings’ 2013 third round pick, as well as their 2016 and 2017 second round selections).

Petron took in Sam Marata (25th), Meralco got Anjo Caram (26th), Talk ‘N Text added Eliud Poligrates (27th), Alaska went for Raymund Ilagan (28th), Rain or Shine selected John Ervic Vijandre  (29th) while San Mig wrapped up the third round by taking in former San Miguel beer shooter JR Cawaling with the 30th pick.

The fourth round draftees include Angelo Ingco (Air21), Jett Vidal (Barako Bull), 6’9” hulking center John Usita (Barangay Ginebra), Nate Matute (Petron), Mike Parala (Meralco) and Chris Sumalinog (Talk ‘N Text).

Globalport, Alaska, Rain or Shine and San Mig Coffee all passed.

The fifth round saw Randolf Chua going to Air21, Michael Silungan joining Barako Bull, Alvin Padilla moving to Barangay Ginebra, Mark Lopez going to Meralco and John Byron Villarias winding up with Talk ‘N Text.

In the sixth round, former FEU back-up guard Jens Knuttel went to Barangay Ginebra, while Meralco Ron Guevarra went to Meralco. Air21, Globalport, Petron and Talk ‘N Text elected to pass.

From SPIN.ph

[tonistork]

Ano nangyare?

Jeric Teng (2nd round, #12 pick lang)

JR Cawaling (3rd round, #30 pick), isa sa nucleus ng FEU ito dati

Mike Silungan (5th round), main man ng lowly UP Maroons ito dati

[Zurca]

After trade for Miller, Villanueva embraces leader's role at young Globalport side

ENRICO Villanueva doesn’t mind being traded away by Barako Bull to Globalport in a low-profile deal consummated ahead of Sunday’s PBA Annual Draft.

Villanueva found himself on the move again on Draft Day when he was sent by the Energy Cola to the Batang Pier for two-time league Most Valuable Player Willie Miller and Hans Thiele.

The veteran that he is, the big man out of Ateneo said as long as he can be of help to a young franchise such as Globalport, then he is more than willing to do his part.

“Kung saan ako makakatulong, magta-trabaho ako para manalo ng championship. Bawat player naman kasi `yun ang gustong mangyari,” said Villanueva, who already joined the Batang Pier in welcoming their rookie picks led by reigning UAAP MVP Terrence Romeo during the draft proceedings at Robinson’s Place Manila in Ermita.

“Definitely, if I got traded because they wanted me, they needed me, then I will be more than happy to help.”

Villanueva admitted not being surprised when he was told about the trade.

“Beterano na ako, kaya di na ako nasu-surprise sa mga ganyan.”

The former Gilas Pilipinas stalwart is expected to have an active hand with Globalport, where he stands to be one of the team’s veteran players along with Jay Washington and Sol Mercado.

“That’s what exactly Boss Mikee (Romero) told us, kaming tatlo nila JayWash and Sol 'yung magiging leaders ng team,” said Villanueva, looking splendid in a gray suit.

“We have to guide the younger guys because sinasabi nila sa akin kanina na ang average age ng team namin is 24, so sobrang bata talaga. “

But despite being a young franchise, Villanueva believes the future looks bright for the Batang Pier.

“I’m happy with the way we drafted. Instantly, magiging contender `yung Globalport not because of me but with our draft picks. Nag all-out si Boss Mikee para dito sa draft,” he said.

Globalport was the busiest team during the draft with six rookies. Apart from Romeo, the Batang Pier also picked RR Garcia, Isaac Holstein, Nico Salva, Jopher Custodio, and LA Revilla.

From SPIN.ph