Looking at the 1st round of
the 2018 PBA Draft
by rick olivares
The 2018 PBA Draft is done. There
were the expected players and the surprise picks. As always, it is how these
players integrate themselves into new roles that will determine their team’s
success and well as personal advancement.
Here are my thoughts about the
first round picks and how they will fight for a slot on loaded line-ups.
CJay Perez (1st overall Columbian Dyip)
When CJay came up with San
Sebastian, it wasn’t difficult to see why the late Rolly Manlapaz dubbed him,
“the Baby Beast” as in the second coming of Calvin Abueva. For sure, this
swingman causes mayhem on the court but not of the physical kind.
When he transferred to Ateneo, he
learned to be the Man on Team B. When he made his last stop at Lyceum, what he
picked up was his leadership skills.
The sum of all his parts will be
put to good use with Columbian who needs a dynamic force like Perez who plays
both ends of the court and doesn’t need a play to be called his way. The
question though is his size at 6’1”. So, it would be interesting to see how he
adjusts to the pro game with the taller players.
I don’t think Columbian Dyip has
a problem scoring. It is more of playing as a team so the success of this team
depends too on their head coach on how he plays and manages his squad. Does he
turn Perez loose? Can he be this team’s version of Kiefer Ravena – a
game-changing guard?
I am sure that Perez will be up
to the task just as he has been in all his stops.
Bobby Ray Parks (2nd overall BlackWater Elite)
A few years ago, he would have
been the top pick of the draft. But that doesn’t mean the expectations are
less. After all, he’s a two-time UAAP and ABL Most Valuable Player.
Parks is like Perez with his
do-it-all skills. Plus, he’s taller at 6’4”. Strange as it may sound, the
question is – what can Ray bring to this team? Players like Perez, and Robert
Bolick Jr. need the ball to thrive. They weren’t their league’s respective MVPs
for being role players.
But more to the question – how
will Ray immerse and mesh with his team attitude-wise?
If head coach Bong Ramos can successfully
integrate Parks while getting the best out of him, the Elite could really take
off (but the loss of JP Erram can tell on this team).
Robert Bolick Jr. (3rd overall NorthPort Batang Pier)
I don’t think Bolick will be
handed the ball right away as the Batang Pier have Stanley Pringle. But Bolick
will be in a position to learn from one of the best in the game.
What I like about Bolick is the
fierce pride that burns within him. He went from the bench to being demoted to
La Salle’s Team B to a star; a Class A player with San Beda (where he is a part
of the Gilas Cadets pool). So, he knows about biding his time then unleashing
his talents.
If Bolick takes off then what a
luxury it will be for NorthPort to have two dynamic and game-changing guards in
Pringle and Bolick who has range, great court vision, and game intelligence.
Solid pick for this team.
Paul Desiderio (4th overall NLEX Road Warriors)
I don’t think that Paul Desiderio
will have a problem integrating himself whether he is at NLEX or BlackWater. He
went from being the Man in UP to being a part of their Big Three (with Bright
Akhuetie and Juan Gomez De Liaño being the other two). In fact, De Liaño took
over the team this season as Desiderio flourished in a supporting role.
He won’t be posting up though but
he will like facing the basket. If he is with NLEX, I think he comes into a
great situation. With BlackWater, it depends on how their roster will be built.
People tend to think that
Desiderio is one-dimensional. He changed his game this season and became a
better facilitator. Plus, in the last couple of years, he improved his face up
game with a pull-up jumper which in my opinion, helps get you that playing time
in the pros.
Trevis Jackson (5th overall Meralco Bolts)
To be honest, I was surprised by
this pick. I thought the Bolts would select Abu Tratter or even Jeepy Faundo
(since they really need a rim protector) since they need that ceiling.
The Bolts selected Jonathan Grey
and Ed Daquioag the previous year – the same spot the 5’9” Jackson will play. Where
does this leave Garvo Lanete?
If Jackson can provide the
consistency from the backcourt he will get his playing time.
Jayvee Mocon (6th overall Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)
I think Mocon comes into a good
situation where he can establish himself with the Elasto Painters needing a
gunner (as Chris Tiu will in all likelihood retire) and James Yap in the
twilight of his career.
A plus-side to Mocon is he
doesn’t mind playing with others who hold on to the ball. He is always ready in
and around the basket.
Abu Tratter (7th overall NLEX Road Warriors)
The former La Salle big man is
moving to BlackWater. Abu reminds me of former San Miguel Beerman Dorian Peña;
snarl included. I always thought of him as a complementary player. One who
thrived with a solid center as Abu played the four. He played with Arnold Van
Opstal and Ben Mbala at the slot. Like Peña, he’s good in scavenging, put
backs, and playing tough D. But if they can get this big man to add a medium
range jumper, he’ll be even more of a threat.
When I first saw him on La
Salle’s Team B, he also ran the floor. When he moved up to the UAAP team, they
ran a half-court offense and I thought that somewhat negated his athleticism
and ability move up the floor. If they can get more out of what he does, he’ll
bring what Peña brought to the Beermen.
Jayjay Alejandro (8th overall Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)
Two years ago, in his final year
with the NU Bulldogs in the UAAP, he was an outstanding two guard who was so
deadly. Played like Paul Desiderio for UP – a do-it-all player who got it done
in the crunch.
Hasn’t set the world on fire
since, but this guy is a pistolero. I do hope they do not use him exclusively
as a spot up shooter because that is not getting the best out of Alejandro.
This guy can slash towards the basket and create as well.
It will be interesting to see how
his pro coach uses him.
Jesper Ayaay (9th overall Alaska Aces)
Hmm. The second coming of Merwin
Castelo (who also played for the aces)? Like Castelo who was a fave of mine
when he was with San Beda in the NCAA), a jack of all trades but a master of
none. Hence, coming in as a role player.
The onus is on the former Lyceum
Pirate to crack this veteran line-up of the Aces.
Michael Calisaan (10th overall Magnolia Hotshots)
I love Calisaan’s game. A rugged
undersized do-it-all forward for San Sebastian. The question is – how does that
translate into the pros? He cannot play the four or five spots as he did for
the height-challenged Stags in the NCAA. At best – what – a three-spot guy?
But he enters the Hotshots with a
chance to find a spot on the roster as they do not have anyone like him; a
stretch player who does a lot of dirty work.
JP Calvo (11th overall Columbian Dyip)
His effectiveness will be
determined if he is allowed to run an offense and how much latitude is given. He
is a point guard, but do you hand him the ball or CJ Perez or the other
holdover guards? His ability to hit the outside will also determine a spot on
the roster.
I like Calvo because he is a
tough competitor. His demeanor never changes. He is tough, crafty, and a total
team player. But make no mistake, he will face challenges in the pros. I like
his attitude because as long as I have watched him lead the Letran Squires,
then play behind top guards like Kevin Alas and Mark Cruz with the Knights, he
has done the job with quiet efficiency. Granted the pros are different, if
given the chance to play, he will do well.
Jorey Napoles (12th overall Phoenix Fuel Masters)
A surprise pick. But Coach Louie
Alas has always had an eye for those flying below the radar. Napoles could be a
sleeper pick. Reminds me at times of Allein Maliksi (who was so below the radar
as he had an unspectacular collegiate career) or even fellow draftee Michael
Calisaan. Napoles played for TIP and Marinerong Pilipino and quietly became a steady
contributor. Did Alas see another Kevin Racal in him?
No doubt as the saying goes –
sugal pick – as he will fight for a slot behind Matthew Wright, Calvin Abueva,
and JC Intal. I like his willingness to rebound and play defense. He will have
to really shine to get a slot on this team on the upswing.
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