2008 PBA Mock Draft

FIRST ROUND:
1) Welcoat - Gabe Norwood (6-5 G-F George Mason University). Unless the Dragons trade this pick, they have a good chance to land this pick if and only if Devance turns out to be a dud this year (highly unlikely). Norwood is the lottery prize for the team who will win the number one spot next year and without question the most talented player on this list. He can play 1-2-3 spots with equal ease. He is athletic, can score (inside or out), rebound, and bring the ball down). A superstar waiting to unravel.

2) Air21 (via Coca Cola in the Mark Telan trade) - Ford Arao (6-5 F-C Ateneo de Manila). Ford Arao has been tremendous this season for the Blue Eagles, earning Most Improved Player honors in the process and a spot in the Mythical Five. His 14.3 ppg and 6.5 rpg was a major jump over his 3.9 ppg and 3.7 rpg average the past year. The Express need size in the middle and Arao can certainly fill that gap. And he probably won't have to adjust too much in the Express' camp what with former teammates JC Intal and Doug Kramer around.

3) Sta. Lucia - Roel Hugnatan (6-5 F Adamson University). The Realtors missed out on the big men in the draft this year, opting to select Fil-Am guard Ryan Reyes with their pick. They aren't likely to allow that to happen next year. Roel Hugnatan like brother Reynel is a bruiser on the boards. He saved his best performance in the UAAP for the last, putting together vastly-improved numbers of 14.5 ppg and 6.9 rpg average. The Mark Isip experiment never worked out for the team but they're hoping Hugnatan will be a much better prospect.

4) Air21 - Mark Borboran (6-3 F University of the East). Borboran has been an instrumental behind the Red Warriors' success this season. He is a high-leaper who owns silky smooth moves towards the basket. He is also pretty athletic and can run with the best of the guards.

5) Purefoods - Jeff Chan (6-3 F-G Far Eastern University). The small forward post is the Giants' only glaring hole in its roster. Chan should be no stranger to the Giants. His former coach at FEU is assistant coach Koy Banal. He has Allan Caidic-like streakiness. He is a sharpshooter, plays defense like all FEU players are known for during the Banal days, and more importantly loves to play at crunchtime.

6) Alaska - Patrick Cabahug (6-2 G-F Adamson University). Jeffrey Cariaso is not getting any younger and this maybe the time the Aces will search for his heir apparent. Cabahug has the bloodlines (Uncle Elmer was a former Alaska player), the right connection (assistant coach Luigi Trillo was his former coach at Adamson, and Ken Bono is a former teammate), and the game to be successful at the next level. Cabahug may be the best shooter to come down the pike in years.

7) Red Bull - Jason Ballesteros (6-6 C San Sebastian University). He made drastic improvement in his game in the last PBL tourney and if he continues to do that, he will find himself back to draft contention. Ballesteros is a rebounding machine who is still considered a project by many. He has an improving low post game and could give the Barakos the size that it needs at the backup center position.

8) Talk N Text - Bonbon Custodio (5-11 G University of the East). Custodio is one of the most tremendously-skilled guards in the country. He can slash, bring the ball down, shoot with range. He is very explosive going to the hole and will make the most exciting play down the stretch. The Phonepals are a very deep team and can afford to make a gamble on talented guards like Custodio.

9) San Miguel - Larry Rodriguez (6-4 F Philippine Maritime Institute). The Beermen will need an insurance to oft-injured forwards Danny Ildefonso, Danny Seigle and Dorian Pena and the reed-thin Rodriguez could be that answer. Don't let Rodriguez's frail physique fool you. He is wiry strong and plays with his back to the basket much like Mark Telan. He is probably one of amateur basketball's best rebounders and shotblockers at his position.

10) Brgy Ginebra - Floyd Dedicatoria (6-4 F Jose Rizal University). The loss of Rudy Hatfield could very well hurt the Gin Kings' campaign this year. Hatfield is blue collar worker who positions himself well on the boards and isn't afraid to mix it up underneath. Dedicatoria has the same qualities and probably more. He is a great rebounder and is a low post scorer.

SECOND ROUND
11) Coca-Cola - Kevin Dalafu (6-1 G Vanguard University). The Tigers need back-up to Alex Cabagnot at the point guard and Dalafu is probably the best fit. He has size and the wiliness to be an effective point guard in the pros. He can shoot from afar and play with the best of em.

12) Welcoat - Richard Cole (6-2 F-G). He has the skills to supplant Rob Wainwright at the small forward position.

13) Sta. Lucia - Jeff Dosado (5-9 G American International). The Realtors have fell in love with Fil-Ams. They lost Alex Cabagnot last year in a trade with Coca-Cola but Jeff Dosado will make them forget that. Dosado is a great shooter and a playmaker who could form a solid 1-2 punch in the backcourt with Ryan Reyes.

14) Purefoods - Adrian Sosa (6-0 G Emory University).

15) Purefoods - Amir Mazarei (5-11 G).

16) Alaska - TY Tang (5-8 G De la Salle University). The Aces need another point guard to back up Mike Cortez as Dale Singson is near the twilight of his career. Tang is a pure playmaker who was a celebrated high school player prior to his stint with the Green Archers. He can shoot, dish and be a leader on the floor.

17) Red Bull - Ronnie Matias (6-4 F).

18) Talk N Text - Kevin White (5-10 G).

19) San Miguel - James Francisco (6-3 G Chaminade University).

20) Brgy Ginebra - Julius Cumlat (5-9 G Holy Names University). Cumlat is a teammate of Harbour Centre's Nick Stephens on the Holy Names varsity. He is a pure point guard who lead the school in assists. Cumlat could be a nice replacement to aging guard Johnny Abarrientos.