Grading the 2018 PBA Draft: Magnolia, Alaska, Rain or Shine, San Miguel, Meralco, Phoenix

(c) PBA Media Bureau

With a few days passed from the 2018 PBA draft, the plans of each team are much clearer. Thus, I have a much better view of their reasons for making their picks. 

I was already done with Ginebra, Columbian, Blackwater, NLEX, Northport and TNT. Here is a recap of their grades.
Ginebra: C
Columbian: C
Blackwater: C
NLEX: A
Northport: B
TNT: C

The grades will range from A to F. A is the highest and F is the lowest. When I grade drafts, I am weighing their decisions, not the talent level of the haul that they got.

Alaska

• #9 MJ Ayaay
• #17 Gideon Babilonia

In terms of the level of the reach, I think taking Ayaay at #9 is much more of a reach than picking Paul Desiderio at #4. Thus, what was the reason behind the choice?

It was about Ayaay playing under coach Topex Robinson who applies a very similar scheme to Alaska and has a connection to the Aces. My problem with that reasoning is the fact that there are at least two forwards available during that pick with a much higher potential in Michael Calisaan and Jorey Napoles.

For a team who badly needs frontliners, the decision to pass those two is questionable. 

By grabbing Gideon, they save themselves from a super failing grade. Remember, height is might in the PBA.

Grade: D

Rain or Shine

• #6 Javee Mocon
• #8 Jjay Alejandro
• #19 Robbie Manalang
• #30 Kent Lao
• #39 Al Cariaga

Rain or Shine is a pretty deep team in all positions. But, their frontline is old already and could have been better with the addition of at least one rookie center.

For a deep team, grabbing high-ceiling players is the path to go. They did that by choosing Javee Mocon and Jjay Alejandro. Mocon may have three to five above-average skills already. The coaching staff can either push those to elite or push his other abilities to that level, too.

All the other picks are just fine. Kent Lao has good size for a wing. 
Grade: C

San Miguel 

• #31 Ryan Monteclaro

Call him coach Ryan. He is actually working already in Vietnam as a technical leader in a sports academy. He is a small point guard with a little upside. But with his coaching experience, he could be a help in their practices.

Grade: C

Meralco

• #5 Trevis Jackson
• #14 Bong Quinto
• #27 Steven Cudal

The 2nd shocker in the draft happened just after the Paul Desiderio pick. The Orange Country decided to claim a point guard even though they already have Baser Amer. 

A few days later, we found out the reason. Baser Amer is bound to TNT. 

Still, a point guard is not that of a need for the Bolts in comparison to a center. They still have Anjo Caram and Mike Tolomia. Actually, Tolomia has the potential to be a starting caliber PG. 

Jackson though has a high ceiling. But not that high for me to pick him over Abu Tratter and Javee Mocon. 

Fortunately for them, they were gifted with Bong Quinto. The biggest reason why Quinto slide was that his good abilities are not the ones that you can showcase in an empty arena or practice. 

Quinto's feel for the game and hustle is in a near-elite level.

Overall, Meralco deserves a passing grade.

Grade: C

Phoenix

• #12 Jorey Napoles
• #21 Ron Dennison
• #22 Joe Trinidad
• #26 Ivan Villanueva
• #36 Kim Cinco
• Alex Mallari
• Dave Marcelo

I am really interested to see what position will Alex Mallari play in Phoenix. I am salivating for him to play with Matthew Wright, Calvin Abueva, Jason Perkins and one of Intal, Wilson or RJ Jazul. That five could be the most modern five in the league.

If that five works, the league better be on notice. 

The Napoles pick is a good gamble. He can play the 4 and has the ability to hit 3s. That is a premium today and also important to their system. 

I am also a fan of picking Dennison because defensive wings who can make plays are hard to find in the Philippines.

In paper, the haul of Phoenix is underwhelming. But they are building it the right way. So, this is their mark.

Grade: A

Magnolia

• #10 Michael Calisaan
• #15 Jeepy Faundo

It doesn't matter how deep your frontline rotation is. PBA is lorded by giants so you need to accumulate as many forwards and centers as possible. By doing that, you are increasing your chances of finding quality bigs which is the most important ingredient to win a crown.

Calisaan is on the same mold as Rodney Brondial and Jake Pascual. Although, he has shown more glimpse of skills. 

Faundo has the athleticism to be impactful. 

By using their first two picks to grab big, Magnolia deserved the highest grade possible!

Grade: A