2007 PBA Mock Draft

First Round
1 - Welcoat: Samigue Eman - Joe Devance is inching closer to take the number one status but Eman’s size and upside will be hard to pass up. The Dragons need additional size in the middle as they only have JR Reyes holding fort. Should they go for potential (Eman) or immediate help (Devance)? That will be answered tomorrow.

2 - San Miguel (via Coca-Cola): Joe Devance - Was actually worried that the Dragons would draft Devance with the number 1 pick. Devance dominated the camps with his multi-varied offensive skills, putting a show: 10.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. If Devance is no longer available here, expect the Beermen to pass up on Samigue Eman despite their need for size. The Beermen (like other teams) are fascinated with Fil-am guard Ryan Reyes. He’s shooting himself up on the charts with his awesome showing in the rookie camp.

3 - Sta. Lucia: JR Quiñahan - The Realtors need size and an inside presence to complement Kelly Williams’ game. Reports have it they have already firmed up their decision to select the 6-6 JR Quiñahan. Quiñahan is not known as Baby Shaq for nothing. He’s a shotblocking monster (led the PBL in block shots) and takes up a lot of space inside the shaded lane with his wide frame. No one probably helped himself more in the camps other than Quiñahan did. His 3-game averages in the draft camp has been solid: 6.6 points and 6.3 rebounds and emerged as the best shot blocker of the camp with 2.3 blocks per game.

4 - Air21 or Coca-Cola: Ryan Reyes - It is still unclear if this pick will be ceded to Air21. Last season, Coca-Cola obtained the 2007 and 2008 first round draft rights of the Express in exchange for the Tigers’ 2009 and 2010 first round draft picks in the modified version of the three-team trade that sent Rudy Hatfield, Rafi Reavis and Billy Mamaril to Ginebra. However, the recent trade which sent big man Mark Telan to Coca-Cola, purportedly will bring back the picks back to its original owners. Whether the pick belongs to either Coca-Cola or Air21 hardly matters as both teams will likely utilize the pick to draft Ryan Reyes. Reyes is a very talented point guard who will one day eclipse the performance of Jimmy Alapag and Mark Caguioa on the PBA hardcourt. He has superstar potential written all over him and will be the most PBA-ready among all players in the draft pool.

5 - Air21 (via Purefoods): Doug Kramer - Kramer suffered an injury during the Red team’s second game against the Yellow team but that will not diminish his ranking in the draft. The Express need size after trading Mark Telan to the Tigers and Doug Kramer seems to be a good fit despite standing only 6-4. His play resembles that of Rudy Hatfield - he scores and scrambles for the rebound (9.5 points and 9 rebounds in two games), sticks his body out in the lane and plays no-nonsense basketball. Ken Bono is still available but the Express probably think they have had enough of perimeter shooting big man and would want a player who can defend the lane for them. Kramer does that!

6 - Alaska: Ken Bono - It’s unthinkable how Ken Bono falls this low after being projected as a top 3 pick a few weeks ago. Bono’s shooting prowess will help spread up the floor for the Aces. Assistant coach Luigi Trillo knows what Bono is capable of doing having coached him at Adamson. Bono is best shooting big man to come down the pike since Alvin Patrimonio.

7 - Alaska (via Red Bull): Jonas Villanueva - After Ryan Reyes, Jonas Villanueva is probably the most talented guard left at number 7. He has uncanny perimeter shooting touch with great playmaking ability. He will provide the Aces with a solid backup to Mike Cortez and probably the heir apparent to the position too.

8 - Air21 (via Talk N Text): JC Intal - Geez, if JC Intal falls this low, expect the Express to grab him. Intal has wowed spectators at the rookie camp with his athleticism and length. The only reason he falls this low is if teams exercise their picks on need rather than talent, of which Intal has plenty in reserve.

9 - San Miguel: Ryan Araña - San Miguel could trade this pick for future considerations but if they utilize it, expect them to grab the most talented player available either as trade bait or as a player on a deep bench. Ryan Araña is a player who has impressed cage pundits with his offensive and defensive game, and also with his calm demeanor on the court. The Beermen need size but there isn’t anyone here better.

10 - Red Bull (via San Miguel): Ronjay Buenafe - Buenafe didn’t make much noise in the rookie camp. He doesn’t have to. His play in the PBL has been superb, at one point leading the league in scoring with 20+ points. He’s a shooter, slasher and can play on the opposite side of the court.

Second Round

11 - Air21 (via Coca-Cola): Marvin Cruz - The Express still need a backup to Wynne Arboleda after getting spurned by Chico Lañete, and Cruz is probably the best left. He’s an energy player who will be everywhere on the court.

12 - Welcoat: Jojo Duncil - Duncil may well be the most natural scorer in the draft pool. He can pop from the outside, get inside and defend.

13 - Sta. Lucia: Yousif Aljamal - Aljamal had two breakout games in the rookie camp and helped himself in the draft. Scouts worry that he may struggle to find a position in the pros. He is said to be a tweener who need to make a transition to the small forward spot in the pros, like what Rey Evangelista and Vic Pablo did.

14 - Air21: Noy Javier - Javier is a true-blue scoring machine and can shoot the lights out even from the parking lot.

15 - Red Bull (via Purefoods): Macky Escalona - Escalona is a talented point guard who finally came out of the shadows of his more illustrious teammate LA Tenorio at Ateneo.

16 – Alaska: Reed Friar Juntilla - Jeffrey Cariaso is not getting any younger and the Aces may be looking for someone who can hold the reins when Cariaso’s guns are no longer as explosive. Reed Juntilla is perhaps one of the draft’s best (if not the best) shooters. Aces drafted before Visayan hotshots Felix Duhig, Rhoel Gomez and Stephen Padilla so there is a precedent.

17 - Red Bull: Joel Solis - Solis is still raw for the pro game but has had flashes of brilliance during the rookie camp.

18 - Talk N Text: Daryl Pepito - a flashy guard out of Australia. He was the fastest in the 60m dash with a clocking of 7.31 seconds. The Phonepals are already stacked in all positions, including point guard, but Pepito could be valuable in practice by pushing guys like Jimmy Alapag, Donbel Belano and Egay Billones to their [speed] limits.

19 - Red Bull (via San Miguel): Ardy Larong - Larong is feisty guy who loves to score and defend on the perimeter. The Express are looking to fill their 14-man lineup and a player like Larong would not be a bad addition.

20 - Air21 (via Brgy Ginebra): Khiel Misa - Misa is a high-scoring point guard who led the NCAA in scoring in his last collegiate stint. Could find a place with the Express.

On the bubble:

Francis Barcellano: Every team needs size and he has that, keeping a slim chance of getting drafted

RJ Masbang: he has size and some scoring ability as he proved during the draft camp (7.6 ppg). Could still have a chance of getting drafted

Mark Moreño: Could find himself a roster spot… in a PBL team