Initial Special Gilas Mock Draft
It is time to do a mock for the Special Draft! Just want to emphasize that this draftees will be available for the first two conferences next season.
1 Blackwater - Mac Belo
A lot of the coaches are high on him so I will go with that. Blackwater should be considering Arnold Van Opstal but the presence of JP Erram should push them to pick Mac Belo. With Belo, their team is brimming with potential and youth, Roi Sumang - Carlo Lastimosa - Art Dela Cruz - Mac Belo - JP Erram. I am salivating for the Dela Cruz-Belo combo because both are intelligent and versatile players.
2 Star - Arnold Van Opstal
From management to the coaching staff, everyone is talking about having a bigman that can match-up with the giants. They will finally have that with Van Opstal.
3 Phoenix - Kevin Ferrer
Jiovanni Jalalon is an intriguing pick here but Phoenix have some quality players in the PG position. Kevin will be a great fit with his love for the long balls and his ability to defend.
4 Mahindra - Matthew Wright
Coach Chris Gavina is looking for a bigman but with Belo, Opstal and Ferrer all gone, Mahindra will go with a versatile wing that can play some minutes in 4. Wright will also bring legit sniping that he showed in the ABL with his 41.8% 3FG.
5 GlobalPort - Russell Escoto
It will be very dumb for the Batang Pier to pick a guard here. Their frontline is still shallow so picking Russell Escoto is the most logical choice here. Russell has the athleticism to defend and willingness to shoot from the outside.
6 NLEX - Jiovanni Jalalon
Coach Yeng Guiao will be more than happy to grab Jalalon. With his style, there is no problem joggling around minutes for Jalalon, Jonas, Alas and Lanete. Those four guards bring different things on the table.
7 Meralco - Mike Tolomia
Coach Norman Black praised him in one of the interview. I expect them to also consider Von Pessumal here because he is an Ateneo guy and will help them in their need of shooting. But Mike will also provide playmaking and go-to scoring that they also lack.
8 TNT - Roger Pogoy
With the entry of coach Nash Racela and with a shallow wing, Roger is the perfect pick here. Roger will bring his basketball IQ and shooting to the SG/SF rotation of Ka Tropa.
9 Rain or Shine - Carl Bryan Cruz
With a loaded wing and backcourt, I expect Rain or Shine to load up there frontline. Carl Bryan Cruz is not a legit bigman but he can play some minutes in the PF position. He will bring a lot into the team.
10 Ginebra - Von Pessumal
This was a hard one between Ed Daquioag and Von but I think Ginebra will go with the shooter than the slasher. LA Tenorio is one of the best defensive nitpicker in the league and Scottie Thompson and Joe Devance can also help in the playmaking area. With Von's height, he can develop into a good defensive player under coach Tim.
11 Alaska - Ed Daquioag
Alaska will be putting up a party if Ed will find his way to them. Ed is basically Cyrus Baguio in another body but much younger. In his last season in the UAAP he double his points per game to 16.4 points.
12. San Miguel - Ponso Gotladera
He is an under-size center who averaged 4.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in his last season in the UAAP. He is not that athletic but he has added some wrinkles on his game in the past few years.
