This is a good opportunity for Phoenix to tank for the 2019 PBA draft

(c) PBA Media Bureau

I understand that tanking is not yet a culture in the Philippine Basketball Association but teams should understand the value of having a high pick.

Just look at Bobby Ray Parks who was rumored that he doesn't want to play for the Blackwater Elite but he cannot do anything because of the way the draft works.

How about North Port Batang Pier who was the third worst team in the 2018 season and now look at them. Robert Bollick may have completed a formidable five that they can build around today and for their future.

Phoenix Fuel Masters surprised everyone last conference when they ended up as the top seed after the elimination round. The trio of Calvin Abueva, Jason Perkins and Matthew Wright played like well-oiled machines on both ends of the court.

This conference, the presence of imports was exposing their biggest problem. They lacked height and size inside.

Yes, they overcame that in the Philippine Cup but the presence of another elite player, the imports, magnified their problem.

And then Calvin Abueva suffered an indefinite suspension. Matthew Wright is an awesome player but overall, Calvin is the best player of Phoenix.

The best place for Phoenix to add a center is, of course, the draft. Fortunately for them, the 2019 PBA draft could be full of big centers. Larry Muyang is the guy that they can target but with their #1 seed the last conference, he is still out of their range.

But, if they ended up as one of the eliminated team this conference and in the Governors' Cup, they may even end up as high as the 6th pick.

Even if they only end up as the 7th pick, they may have three good options for a bigman. Other than Muyang, Santi Santillan could be their with Arvin Tolentino.