June Mar Fajardo, Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, Arwind Santos and Ian Sangalang. The bigman position is the most vital position in the league. Teams without above average bigs are not contending anytime soon.
So, I am pretty sure the scouts of each team are already on the lookout for the potential PBA draft entrants who can play the center position.
So, who are the potential top 5 frontliners in the upcoming draft? Let us see.
Take note, these are the five best in terms of skills. Their potentials were not included in rating them. In short, the #1 big is the one that will provide the highest positive impact on his team, right away. And to simplify, I consider a player a bigman if he can play the center position respectably, for at least 3 minutes
#1 Abu Tratter
This ranking is a little bit unusual because I cannot provide statistics that will prove that Abu is the best big today. But with what I saw during his games, I think he is the best bigman in this draft class.
He has the body already to take on the physicality of the PBA. He has the modern athleticism to play in space. He can defend perimeter players which is vital because PBA is becoming more perimeter oriented.
#2 Arvin Tolentino
Will he be allowed to enter the PBA draft? If PBA will allow 2018 UAAP players to enter the 2018 PBA draft, because the UAAP season will end before the draft, Tolentino could fight for one of the top five spots in the draft.
Why? The guy is skilled. He is currently producing 10.7 points, 4 rebounds and 50% 3FG in UAAP. Of course, the most tantalizing number is the 50%. He will not be able to maintain that but what if he can maintain it around 37%? That is an elite number already.
#3 Leo Santillan
This is the guy that can challenge Abu Tratter for the #1 spot. If you are not familiar with him, you can watch him with DLSU in UAAP where is currently averaging 11.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 33% 3FG.
He is so skilled that he drew praises from coach Tab Baldwin. Coach Tab was so impressed that he told Santillan that Santillan is becoming one of his favorite players. The word "clever" can summarize Santi's impact. Skills with creativity.
#4 Andre Paras
Paras could be one of the most polarizing prospects to enter the PBA in the last decade. He is so modern that he averaged 8.8 three-point attempts in PBA D-League. In terms of efficiency, he is not elite but he is already average.
Combine that with his other favorite skill of rebounding and you have a pretty unique prospect. How impactful will be a bigman who will knock down 35% of his threes and rebound at least 10 per game? I am excited to find out.
#5 Aris Dionisio
Here is the unknown that you need to know. Aris is currently playing for Manila Stars in the MPBL and he is putting up the best statline out of all the bigs in this list. Unfortunately, he still doesn't have the pedigree to legitimize his numbers.
He is putting up 15.8 points, 55% FG, 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. Yes, he fills up the stat sheet pretty well. His body needs a lot of muscles but with his current skill level on both ends of the court, he can easily turn out to be the steal of the 2018 draft.
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