All-Time Draft Busts and Disappointments

What is a draft bust and what is a draft disappointment? A draft bust is a player who was expected by a lot of people to shine in the pros but for some mysterious reasons simply fizzled out. A draft disappointment is a player who has performed creditably but not at a level expected of him. Who are these players, please check it out below:

Rich Alvarez – A 2-time UAAP MVP, he was picked number one overall in the 2004 draft ahead of future PBA MVP James Yap. He immediately made his presence to Shell and the rest of the league, earning in process, the 2004 ROY MVP but career took a U-turn when Shell decided to take a leave of absence from the league. Prior to the team’s demise, Alvarez was traded along with Tony de la Cruz to Alaska and was never the same again. He couldn’t cut it under coach Tim Cone’s system and was again traded this time to Red Bull. The Barakos had a great system but he doesn’t seem to be a fit to the team. He continues to play sparingly and is in fact getting upstaged by former Shell benchwarmer Carlo Sharma

Paolo Hubalde – he was projected to be drafted in the 2005 PBA Draft but a strong showing in the pre-draft camps earned him a first round consideration and a spot on San Miguel Beer’s roster. He struggled to find a position in the PBA and worse, had to battle it for playing minutes with Dondon Hontiveros, Cris Calaguio, Wesley Gonzales, Brandon Cablay and Olsen Racela on the Beermen’s roster. He was almost non-existent on the Beermen’s roster and found himself at the end of the bench, out of playing time, out of roster spot and probably out of the league next season.

Brandon Lee Cablay – Cablay actually had a good showing in his time with Alaska, the team who drafted him number 5 overall in a deep 2003 draft despite being an unknown 24 hours prior to the draft day. Together with Mike Cortez, they were a difficult pair to neutralize and had foes on their knees when they unleash their deadly offensive arsenal. After suffering from an injury, Cablay was never the same again. He was traded to San Miguel for Nic Belasco. The Beermen had high hopes for Cablay and immediately installed him as their point guard of the future. Injuries, however continue to hound Cablay, and he had struggles adjusting to the lead guard position in the Beermen’s lineup. Brandon was unable to shake off his tweener status and by the start of the 2007-08 he was traded to Red Bull. Cablay hopes to resuscitate his career at Red Bull, if not, this would the end of the line for him.

Eddie Laure – consider this, he was a former MBA MVP with the Batangas Blades. He was a scoring and rebounding machine. Many tout him as the next Rey Evangelista. Laure could seemingly do it all – score, grab the boards, defend, shoot. He was described as the most complete player in the talent heavy 2003 draft. But as in most true-to-life stories, his was not a storybook ending. After a stellar rookie season, Laure suffered a knee injury which forced him to be traded to Purefoods. The Hotdogs had a spot in the lineup for Evangelista’s heir apparent. But injuries forced him to miss out most of the team’s matches and when he finally saw action he was nowhere near the level that the team expected him to perform. After two lackluster years, he cut from the team and found his way to Alaska. With eroding skills, Laure is still doing a great job off the bench for the Aces but without those injuries, Laure could have been a league superstar by now but it was not meant to be.

Derrick Canlas – He was raw but at 6-9 and with a great upside there should be at least one who will bite the dust and take him. He was a project but that did not deter Shell from getting him with the draft’s 7th overall pick in the 2002 PBA draft. Canlas never realized his potential and was out of the league after 3 forgettable years with Shell and San Miguel. How bad was the Canlas pick? Well, Renren Ritualo was still available at the Turbochargers’ turn and in fact, was drafted 8th overall by FedEx.

Mike Hrabak - nobody knew Mike Hrabak. He was an unknown but his size (6-7) caught the attention of pro scouts who scoured the whole of Manila to look for him. He did not attend the pre-draft camps but word was out that he was a legitimate big man who had scoring ability. Shell drafted the big guy second overall in the 2001 draft despite not being able to see him. They paid the price. Hrabak, while he was good in some stretches, never hit it big in the PBA. Despite his size, he elected to shoot from the outside and did not have any low post game. He was traded to Purefoods an injury-riddled campaign and the following year was dealt again to Red Bull where he had to take a backseat to erstwhile Shell reserve Carlo Sharma. Taken third overall by Ginebra in the same draft was another Fil-Am, Mark Caguioa.

Omanzie Rodriguez – Omanzie was known in the amateur circuits as the Big O, a big man who can send shockwaves to teams with his tentacle-like arms and shotblocking ability. He starred for the San Juan Knights and made a great showing there, enough for the Sta. Lucia Realtors picking 3rd overall to consider him with their pick. Omanzie looked lost on the hardcourt and his lack of strength, offensive skills and true position made it difficult for him to transition in the pro brand of play. He was given up for nothing to FedEx who likewise released him after a season to Red Bull. He was part of the Rommel Adducul and Lordy Tugade trade to San Miguel. He didn’t see any meaningful minutes on the floor and after only a year found himself to Purefoods in another trade involving Larry Fonacier.

Brixter Encarnacion – Brix was part of the 4-peat NCAA champs San Sebastian Stags along with future pros Rommel Adducul, Ulysses Tanigue, Rodney Santos and Banjo Calpito. He was the Stags leading scorer and at 6-4, scouts felt that he had good size and skills to be able to make an impact in the pro league. He was take 4th overall by Pop Cola in the 1998 PBA Draft but despite the skills and promise that he had, he struggled to find his niche in the pro league.

Jason Webb – picked 3rd overall in the 1997 PBA Draft behind big Fil-ams Andy Seigle and Nic Belasco, a lot was expected from Speedy Freddie’s son. He was the starting point guard for the national team and was one of amateur basketball’s best playmakers prior to the draft. He was supposed to have a better career professionally than father Freddie Webb, a former Senator. Lack of offensive skills stymied his growth and after just a short stint with Sta Lucia and Tanduay, he retired.

Ruben de la Rosa – Romy de la Rosa’s kid brother was a many-time national team member and was a former MVP in the NCAA ranks. Even though he stood only 6-1, he had athletic ability and defensive skills to somehow make up for his deficiencies. He was taken 3rd overall in the 1996 PBA Draft right after Marlou Aquino and Rodney Santos. Alas, he didn’t saw much action on the hardcourt for Purefoods and fared only well in the All-Star slam dunk which he won handily. Unable to make a name for himself in the PBA, Ruben took his acts to the MBA where he shown mightily for the Negros Slashers. He couldn’t cut in the PBA as an extremely undersized frontliner with absolutely zero offensive game.

Bryant Punzalan – Punzalan was on his way to becoming amateur basketball next important star. He was one of six amateurs initially asked to reinforced a depleted a San Miguel team that would compete in the 1994 Asian Games. He did not make the cut but his raw game was very much appealing to coach Norman Black that he took him 5th overall in the 1995 PBA Draft. Black, a move the team would later regret up to this day. Taken a notch below Punzalan was Jeffrey Cariaso who slipped all the way down to 6th. Punzalan never fulfilled his promise as a dominant postman in the pros. He never even had one breakout game to somehow prove San Miguel that he was the man for the job.

Edmund Reyes – none much was expected for the 6-4 strongman who was a defensive anchor on the four-peat UAAP Champs UST Tigers. He had an ACL injury prior to the 1995 draft but it was not enough for Purefoods to reconsider drafting him with the 7th overall pick. He was never a factor in the pros, even on the defensive end as injuries hounded him like a bug and as a result, his career in the pros was cut short.

Johnedel Cardel – you know the John-john Cardel who starred for the De la Salle Green Archers in the UAAP and who was a member of the 19-and under RP team during the early 90s. He was dubbed as a can’t-miss pro because he brings to the table a lot of excitement and raw skills. Despite a stellar amateur career, Cardel never hit it big in the pros.

Felix Duhig – a big star in Cebu circuits who once exploded for 112 points in a single game anchored on an astonishing 30 triples. He made the RP team because of that reputation. Duhig was the hired assassin, the hitman, the sniper rolled into one. But he was also 5-9 with no point guard skills, and no defensive skills and that eventually cost his early exit in the league.

Alex Araneta – former first pick overall in the 1991 draft by Alaska. He was a 6-7 mobile and athletic center, back during the days when centers with great mobility were rare finds. He was supposed to dominate the league, a league that was filled with shorter and slower centers, but he didn’t and instead was just content to being a role player on the Alaska bench.

Peter Jao – Peter was a scorching scorer back in his amateur days. He was deadly from anywhere on the court and came into the game confident of scoring 30 points every time out. As expected, he was taken first overall in the 1990 draft by Presto who already had a deadly gunner by the name of Allan Caidic. Peter never made it out because he was saddled by injuries early in his pro career. He lost his confidence and his game. Presto’s second round pick made up for Peter’s woes and won the ROY award at year’s end.

Bong Solomon – Alaska thought they got a steal with the second overall pick in the draft. The draft right originally belonged to Pepsi but the Colas dealt that pick for guard Eric Altamirano. Solomon was the most important big man coming out of the amateur ranks and picking him top 2 was a no-brainer. Solomon, however, failed to make the necessary adjustments in the PBA. He suffered injuries after injuries that stymied his growth as a player. With an eye injury affecting his vision, he was traded to Ginebra for a draft pick (sixth overall), where he played sparingly. Ginebra cried foul because Alaska didn’t disclosed he had an injury. Too late. Alaska drafted Jeffrey Cariaso at number 6.

Marlon Legaspi – Legaspi was one of amateur basketball’s best young frontcourt prospects during his time. He terrorized the PBL with his deft 3-point shooting and shotblocking. San Miguel wanted a young frontliner whom they can develop to eventually replace their aging stars. Legaspi was the best available talent left after Red Bull grabbed Enrico Villanueva at 7th. There was a problem. Reynel Hugnatan, Jimmy Alapag, Sunday Salvacion, John Ferriols, Cyrus Baguio and Ronald Tubid were still available at 8th and Legaspi never reached his potential as a pro player.