PBA draft pool down to 87 hopefuls

MANILA, Philippines - Eighty-seven aspirants from the original list of 95 applicants are left in the final draft pool to be presented to 12 PBA teams during the 2014 Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft set Sunday at the Robinson’s Place Manila.

Eight hopefuls were cut as they either withdrew or didn’t show up in the Gatorade Rookie Draft Combine Monday and Tuesday at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong, leaving a draft pool deep in backcourt talents but lacking in frontline operators.

Globalport has long made known it is making former Penn State guard Stanley Pringle as the top pick, only the third backcourt player in 10 years to be made the No. 1 draft selection after Gabe Norwood in 2008 and JV Casio in 2011.

Other backcourt players Kevin Alas, Matt Ganuelas and Chris Banchero are expected to go high in the draft.

“The pool is made up mostly of guards, so teams which need to fill up 1-2-3 spots have plenty of talents to choose from,” said Globalport coach Pido Jarencio.

Other top prospects are Ronald Pascual, Jake Pascual, cousins Gab Banal, Jonathan Banal and Frank Golla, Rome dela Rosa, Jonathan Belorio, Prince Caperal, Kyle Pascual, Mark Romero and brothers David and Anthony Semerad.

Overall, most coaches believe this year’s draft pool is shallow compared to the recent ones.

There were prized big men Greg Slaughter, Ian Sangalang and Raymond Almazan last year, Junmar Fajardo and Calvin Abueva the previous year and Gilas boys Casio, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz, Mark Barroca and Mac Baracael in 2011.

Rain or Shine is not impressed that’s why the team is open to trading its rights for the No. 2 pick.

The Asian Coating Inc. team wants to shore up its frontline rotation, but the draft pool doesn’t present a single dominant big man.

For Barako Bull coach Siot Tanquingcen, the pool is limited to three to four “impact players.”

“But there are quality complementary and potential project players up to the early part of the second round,” said Tanquingcen.

Team Kia and Blackwater Sports have filled up almost three-fourth of their rosters from the dispersal draft (veteran free agents).

As one of two teams allowed to pick from the third round and onwards, Blackwater coach Leo Isaac believes the draft “is deep enough to go through the fourth round.”

He said they would go for the best available talents left in their turn to pick at Nos. 12, 23, 26 and 27.

The complete first-round draft order is Globalport, Rain or Shine (from Meralco), Barako Bull, N-Lex, Alaska, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, San Mig Coffee (from Barako, acquired from Petron/San Miguel Beer), Barako Bull (from Talk ‘N’ Text), Rain Or Shine, Barako Bull (from San Mig Coffee), Kia Motors and Blackwater.

Talk ‘N’ Text, San Miguel Beer and Meralco will not pick in the first round unless they are able to trade for slots. Barako Bull has three first round choices and Rain or Shine, two.