(c) PBA Media Bureau
The 2019 PBA D League draft happened last January 15, 2019, providing a much clearer view of who could be available for the upcoming 2019 PBA draft.
Playing in the PBA D-League is a requirement to enter the PBA draft. There are other possibilities but not that easy to achieve.
So, with a much clearer pool, what changed in our mock draft?
#1 Columbian - Joshua Munzon (#1 in Last Mock)
For now, Munzon is the top price of the 2019 PBA draft. It seems like he is really motivated to be eligible for 2019, which is a good sign for the weaker teams like Columbian. Munzon's plan of being a point guard in the PBA is very intriguing because of his legit forward-size. Can he be the better version of Alex Mallari?
#2 Blackwater - Troy Rike (#5 in Last Mock)
Rike will be a great test of how good PBA teams are in evaluating talent. Rike was a disappointment in the UAAP but he could have two of the most important skills to succeed in the league. I can see Blackwater as the team who will bite the risk because of their track record in terms of developing players.
#3 Northport - Santi Santillan (#6 in Last Mock)
Northport has a pretty young and good frontline depth. These will be the second season of Lervin Flores, Bradwyn Guinto and Joseph Gabayni for Northport. Two seasons should be enough to check if they have what it takes or not. The signing of Jom Sollano indicates that they are not confident with their depth which could propel them to take another promising bigman in this draft.
#4 Alaska (From Phoenix) - Thirdy Ravena (#3 in Last Mock)
With his name recognition, it is hard to fathom Ravena falling into the 4th pick but the deep pool of quality bigs may force him down. Actually, he can also be the top pick of this draft if he can solidify his Lebron-like aura.
#5 Meralco - Isaac Go (#4 in Last Mock)
MVP management will be satisfied if Go drops into one of their franchises, specially Meralco. I do not expect Go to breakout in the 2019 season of UAAP because Kouame is still there. He is not that athletic so he could be the 3rd big to be drafted in this class.
#6 TNT - Owen Graham (#8 in Last Mock)
I really thought Graham will already enter the 2018 draft but he did not. Now, he has a chance to validate himself as one of the prices of this draft by playing well in the most loaded season of the PBA D-League. His combination of effort, athleticism, rebounding and defense could push him as high as the #1 pick.
#7 NLEX - Alvin Pasaol (#7 in Last Mock)
I really like this to happen and I think it could. Alvin is a dominant scorer that can either boom and become a top 10 player in the league. He can also be a bust and be out of the league after four seasons.
#8 Rain or Shine - Larry Muyang (#9 in Last Mock)
Letran will join the 2019 PBA D League, giving a chance to their senior players to show what they have. Muyang will be very interesting to watch because of his size and rim protection.
#9 Alaska - Arvin Tolentino (#10 in Last Mock)
Tolentino was rumored before of being a head case. If that is true, I do not think Alaska will get him. In terms of skills and talent though, Tolentino deserves to be a top 10 pick in this draft.
#10 Magnolia - Jeo Ambohot (New)
Ambohot had a forgettable 2018 NCAA season with Letran. He will try to bounce back this year in the D-League and in the 2019 NCAA season. Jeo is long and had been shooting threes already.
#11 Columbian (From San Miguel) - Christian Fajarito (#11 in Last Mock)
Columbian should draft the best bigman available with this pick. CJ Perez, Rashawn McCarthy, Jerramy King and Jackson Corpuz badly need a bigman that can patrol the paint and occupy space.
#12 Ginebra - Kib Montalbo (New!)
Kib was the Paul Desiderio of De La Salle. In terms of skill level and success, there is a big difference though. He had glimpses of potential that he can be a credible point guard in the PBA and with the connection of San Miguel to DLSU, I can see this pick happening.
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