2024 PBA Draft Grades: Ginebra drafted their future starting PG?

 

Here is our immediate grade of the draft choices in this draft! By the way, we grade it according to the decision that was made not really about the current ranking of the player that was chosen with the others that are still remaining. So, if it is an easy decision, then expect an average grade of C or D.

ROUND 1

#1. Converge - Justin Baltazar
Not the easiest decision because of entry of Sedrick Barefield but if we consider everything, Baltazar is the right choice. I am excited to see him play with Arana.
Grade: B

#2. Blackwater - Sedrick Barefield
An easy pick. Although, it is also full of risk because he may not be playing in the league for the long-term.
Grade: C

#3.Ginebra - RJ Abbarientos
The decision here is well understood. They need a point guard of the future. We know that RJ can be that guy. He is a proven quarterback.
Grade: C

#4. Phoenix - Kai Ballungay
They decided not to push through with the Evan Nelle pick and did not fall to the hype of Caelan Tiongson. Kai is young and may have actually the highest potential in this draft.
Grade: A

#5 Northport - Dave Ildefonso
This is a surprise. We thought Caelan Tiongson will not pass this pick. It is also surprising that Northport went for a combo guard/wingman when they badly need a bigman or a point guard.
Grade: D

#6. NLEX - Jonnel Policarpio
I am one of the high about Policarpio. I thought he will end up in the 2nd round but his draft combine performance helped him a lot. This is also an excellent fit for NLEX.
Grade: A

#7. Rain or Shine - Caelan Tiongson
This is an easy decision. I will not be surprise though if Rain or Shine will trade this if SMC really want him. Unless the supposed love for Caelan of SMC teams was just a grand smoke screen. 
Grade: C

#8. Rain or Shine - Felix Lemetti
Rain or Shine found a bigman but not a giant in Caelan. Now, they went with our under-the-radar guy in Felix. Is he that better than Evan Nelle or Jerom Lastimosa? In my eyes, yes.
Grade: B

#9. Magnolia Hotshots - Jerom Lastimosa 
I think they ended up deciding between Jerom, Evan and CJ. Looking at their current roster, this is a fine decision.
Grade: C

#10. Terrafirma - Mark Nonoy
His very high vertical jump makes him a very interesting prospect. Terrafirma chose him over Evan and CJ. I am not a big fan of that decision.
Grade: D

#11. Meralco - CJ Cansino
This is not that hard of a decision. Meralco do not need a wingman that badly but it is still a better fit than getting a guard.
Grade: C

#12. San Miguel - Avan Nava
I am not that big of an Avan fan. There are other analysts, fans and PBA personnel who are a big fan of him but with what I saw, I do not think his potential is that high. 
Grade: E

ROUND 2
#1. Rain or Shine - Francis Escandor
I am not sure why Evan Nelle is falling and why Rain or Shine decided not to go with either Ramirez or Phillips. 
Grade: E

#2. Northport - Evan Nelle
Knowing his pedigree, it is understood that Northport chose him. But, they still badly need bigs.
Grade: B

#3. Terrafirma - CJ Catapusan 
He plays smoothly for a wingman. But I am not sure that they made the right decision of saying no to Brandon and Phillips.
Grade: D

#4. Rain or Shine - Mike Malonzo
I am a fan of him. He is an athletic wingman. But again, why are Ben and Brandon falling? I thought Rain or Shine wants bigs?
Grade: E

#5. Ginebra - Didat Hanapi
A shooter. His defense is respectable. Will he become the second coming of Ralph Cu? We will see. But again, where are the bigs?
Grade: E

#6. NLEX - Brandon Ramirez
NLEX just got a gift with this pick. He is the best bigman available at this point. He is skilled.
Grade: C

#7. Converge - Paolo Javillonar
This is not that bad of a pick. They went for another bigman. I am not sure he will play that much of a role during games but during practice, he can be important.
Grade: C

#8. Rain or Shine - Miggy Corteza
An undersize forward. He badly needs to develop his skills if he wants to have a chance in the PBA. 
Grade: E

#9. Converge - Ben Phillips
Finally. The reason why he fell is that Ben may not be returning to the country until next year. That is fine for Converge though because their frontline looks fine now.
Grade: B

#10. Ginebra - Paolo Hernandez
Another shooter for Ginebra. His form is nice. So, Ginebra could either be fine with their frontline now or they want to fix it through trade.
Grade: D

#11. Meralco - Kurt Reyson
At this point of the draft, finding a potential spitfire scorer off-the-bench is not that bad of a shot to take.
Grade: B

#12. Converge - Jason Credo
He is one of our potential sleepers. A very skilled player. I am not sure though if he will get enough opportunity to show his wares. The manager of Converge has insider knowledge about Credo.
Grade: A