2022 PBA Draft Winners and Losers!

 The 2022 PBA Draft played out as expected. Only the first pick was a sure thing and all the other picks were interesting. So, it is time to give our initial lists of winners and losers. 

 LOSERS 

Terrafirma DYIP 

This is all about the decision of the PBA to disallow Sedrick Barefield from entering the draft. Terrafirma was suppose to have one of Sedrick and Brandon but ended up with an injured Jeremiah Gray. Gray is an excellent prospect but the other two are on a higher tier. 

Blackwater

They are looking on a multiple options for their top pick just a week before the draft and half of those options were not there during draft day. I am also not a fan of them not choosing Encho Serrano when they were given three shots to do so. 

Javi Gomez de Liano

The reality is, being drafted by Ginebra may be a dream come true but with coach Tim Cone ate the helm, getting minutes is not a guarantee. Ginebra also have a deep line-up for those minutes in the wing. 

 WINNERS

Jeo Ambohot

Justin Arana was a sure thing to be drafted by Converge but drafting two bigs was unlikely. Converge did it and now Jeo is about to receive some career-altering training from Danny Ildefonso. He will also play for a team that needs a willing bigman shooter like him. 

Keith Zaldivar 

He was not expected to be a first round pick but now he is with a team that actually needs him to succeed and a good path to playing time. He will also have a lot of good mentors in Magnolia. 

Phoenix 

Phoenix is easily the biggest winner in this draft. Even without a first round pick, I can argue that they may have drafted three first round talent in Tyler Tio, Chris Lalata and Encho Serrano. All of those three as strong draft steal candidate.