(c) PBA Media Bureau
The 2018 Governors' Cup is bound to make a huge shake-up to the draft order of the 2018 PBA draft. We are also waiting for the draft hopefuls to file their names in the 2018 PBA draft pool.
Trevis Jackson was the first one to do it. Who is next?
As of today, these are my predictions for the upcoming draft.
#1 Columbia- Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (#1 in Last Mock Draft)
Once again, Columbia will have the #1 pick of the PBA draft. We all saw what happened last year and it was a big slap on the league.
The bad news for us was that the coaching staff of Columbia are not aware of the management's plan about the pick. It also seems like they are not even excited about it. Which increase my fear that they will find a way to trade this pick again.
#2 Meralco - Troy Rike (New)
We are not yet sure if the current UAAP players will be allowed to enter the upcoming draft. But if the league will let them, Rike will be one of the most intriguing names.
Size plus shooting is a premium in the league today. Although his current production in the UAAP season is not giving him any merit to be the pick at this juncture, his potential is still pretty obvious.
#3 Blackwater - Robert Bollick (#3 in Last Mock Draft)
I believe that if Blackwater ended up choosing between Perez and Bollick, they will go with Bollick. They need a legit point guard and to get a big PG with immense talent is a huge plus. He is currently producing 17 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5 assists, 51% FG and 35% 3FG in the NCAA season.
#4 Northport - CJ Perez (#2 in Last Mock Draft)
This is easy. Northport's owner already revealed that Perez is their target in this draft. They want to create a very athletic duo with Stanley Pringle and Perez. Combing Perez versatile play with Pringle and Sean Anthony could be a dream come true for Mr. Romero.
#5 Phoenix - Jason Brickman (#5 in Last Mock Draft)
Phoenix will be hard press for this pick. They can either go with the bigman or get the most skilled point guard in this draft. I think they will go with Brickman because the bigs in this draft don't have the size to be an equalizer against the giants of the elite teams.
On the other hand, Brickman's passing and shooting can create a Golden State-like atmosphere in their offense with Matthew Wright and Calvin Abueva.
#6 Rain or Shine - Abu Tratter (#4 in Last Mock Draft)
Rain or Shine has an aging frontcourt. How about adding the readiest big of this draft. Tratter's physique and athleticism make him playable in the PBA. With Beau Belga and Jay Washington as mentors, Tratter could develop his skill set faster than anticipated.
#7 NLEX - Andre Paras (#6 in Last Mock Draft)
Coach Yeng love to have bigs who can shoot threes. How about the maddest three-point shooting big in the amateurs? Paras is averaged more than eight long bombs per game in the 2018 PBA D League Foundation Cup. Isn't he the dream frontline prospect of coach Yeng?
#8 Rain or Shine - Owen Graham (#7 in Last Mock Draft)
Gabe Norwood is still at his peak of 33 years old. That doesn't mean that Rain or Shine cannot prepare for his inevitable loss to father time. Graham has the athleticism to be the mentee of Gabe Norwood. He is a hard worker and runs fast up and down the court.
#9 Alaska - Aris Dionisio (#9 in Last Mock Draft)
Alaska is known to take-in athletic bigs like Marion Magat and Yutien Andrada. Aris is not only athletic but also skilled. He is currently producing 15.8 points, 55% FG, 24% 3FG, 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks. His defensive numbers make me believe that he can be an impactful defender in the PBA.
#10 Magnolia - Bong Quinto (New!)
Magnolia has a deep wing rotation with Paul Lee-Rome Dela Rosa-Robbie Herndon. The good thing about wings though is their innate ability to play different positions.
Quinto will provide something different in the position. He is a stat-filler in the mold of a Scottie Thompson. He is currently averaging 14.9 points, 44% FG, 33% 3FG, 8.2 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game in the NCAA.
#11 Phoenix - Kris Porter (#11 in Last Mock Draft)
There are a lot of underrated bigs in this draft. Let me add Porter into the list. He was basically a bench warmer in his days in UAAP with Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Porter has legit outside shooting touch. He shot 47% from beyond the arc in his recent PBA D-League conference. He also knows to make plays for others and he is a great team player.
#12 San Miguel - Matt Salem (#10 in Last Mock Draft)
Matt Salem continues to underachieve in his time in the amateurs but the glimpses of his potential should be enough for him to be part of the 1st round of the upcoming 2018 draft. He has the elite physique and all-around game to help out San Miguel in the future.
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