Still undecided going to the draft day on Jan. 12 are Shell and Purefoods which are third and fourth on the draft order, respectively.
"Normally, it’s the No. 1 team which faces a big dilemma. But in this case, we are the ones having the biggest dilemma. Going to the drafting, I have to answer these questions: Do we pick the player we really need in the team — which is a center — or do we choose the best talent in the amateur?" said Shell coach Perry Ronquillo, still weighing his choices between Enrico Villanueva and Eddie Laure.
The 6-foot-5 Villanueva, a vital cog on the Ateneo team which won the 2002 UAAP championship, is among the top centers in the draft pool. The 6-foot-3 Laure is a forward, considered by many as the most talented player in the amateur today.
"We really need a big man but the question is do we pass up a chance to get the most talented player," said Ronquillo, hinting at choosing Laure in the end.
"No question Romel Adducul is the best center (in the pool), Mike Cortez the best pointguard and Laure the best forward who can play inside and out, who can post up and who can shoot the three," added Ronquillo on the veteran SEA Games campaigner, who is no doubt the best player to come out of Adamson since Kenneth Duremdes.
Purefoods coach Eric Altamirano said he would also face a big dilemma if Shell picks Laure.
"Kung maiwan si Laure, definitely siya ang kukunin namin. If not, I have a question to answer. Should I get a pointguard which what we really need in our team or should I get a quality big man. Kailangan din naman naming ang malaki dahil uncertain ang status ni Andy Seigle because of his recurring injury," said Altamirano.
But if he decides to get a big man, Altamirano said it is not necessarily Villanueva as he is also looking at Reynel Hugnatan.
Incidentally, Altamirano was watching the MBA finals between Negros and Batangas featuring Hugnatan and Laure when he was contacted by The STAR yesterday.
Altamirano agreed with Ronquillo that Laure is the most talented amateur player in the land today. But the Purefoods mentor said Hugnatan should be ranked not far behind Laure.
Sta. Lucia is picking No. 5 but coach Norman Black said he’s yet to make up his mind on whom to pick.
Shell has six players — Mike Hrabak, Rob Wainwright, Art del Rosario, Tony dela Cruz and Rensy Bajar — whose contracts are expiring Dec. 31. Ronquillo said Hrabak was given a contract-extension a month ago, and next up on the negotiating table is Dela Cruz.
Nine Hotdogs in Bonel Balingit, Jolly Escobar, Paul Guerrero, Roger Yap, Junel Mendiola, Mark Victoria, Boyet Fernandez, Ronnie Magsanoc and Richard Yee become free agent at the end of the year.
Altamirano said Hernandez, Yap and Yee are the players who will surely be back. The amiable Purefoods mentor added they would decide on the others after the draft.