2006 Annual PBA Draft
I was very satisfied with San Miguel's draft perfomance this year. I can't even remember the last time they drafted a player that had an impact on the team. The closest that I could remember was drafting Noy Castillo and trading him for Danny Ildefonso back in 1998 or 97. And to think Ildefonso wasn't their pick, they just acquired him via trade. Last year they drafted Paolo Hubalde when there were still good players available, like Leo Najorda & Larry Fonacier. SMB tried to convert him into a PG but it didn't work. Now Hubalde sits on the sidelines waiting to replace someone who would get injured.This year was completely different. They had the 4th and 5th picks of the 1st round. It was obvious that they would be able to land LA Tenorio since the first 3 teams weren't in need of a PG. Santa Lucia and Air 21 opted to draft the 2 of best big men in the draft in Kelly Williams and Arwind Santos respectively. Coke had the third pick and they don't need the services of LA because they had drafted Denok Miranda the previous year. Picking Joseph Yeo came as quite a surprise since I always thought they were drafting a big man after they lost Reavis and Mamaril to Ginebra via trade.
San Miguel's fourth pick was a no-brainer. Even the cameraman knew who they would pick as he focused the camera on Tenorio even before his name was called by the commissioner. I knew they were picking a big man for the fifth pick because they lost Nic Belasco to Alaska earlier this year via trade with Brandon Cablay. I was thinking they were picking Mark Isip since he was the only above average big man I could think of. Besides, SMB has expressed interest in him during the rookie draft camp. But lo and behold, SMB picked Gabby Espinas! How could I forget about him? Great player, athletic, good rebounder, and he's got the credentials to back him up. Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same year in the NCAA. So I think Espinas was a better choice than Isip.
With this year's draft, SMB has become younger and faster. Especially with their aging superstars, Seigle, Ildefonso and Racela. So the upcoming season looks bright for the Beermen... Wooohooo!
posted by kArEnEiL @ 11:45 AM
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