Coaches upbeat with own draft picks

MANILA, Philippines — Like Terrafirma with top pick Joshua Munzon, the rest of the PBA clubs see a bright future with their blue-chip rookies who are expected to make their marks immediately.

“We’re very excited with the picks that we got,” NorthPort governor Erick Arejola told The STAR, referring to the Batang Pier’s selections in the record-setting draft led by No. 2 overall Jamie Malonzo and No. 11 Troy Rike.

“We’re sure they’ll have impact in the team right away once the season starts,” he added.

Athletic big man Malonzo and 3x3 standout Rike are expected to complement newly-acquired Greg Slaughter in the NorthPort frontcourt and blend well with stars Sean Anthony and Robert Bolick.

TNT Tropang Giga, which traded to get the rights to No. 4 in the first round, have high hopes on Fil-Am guard Mikey Williams. The former G League player is tipped to form a lethal backcourt tandem with Jayson Castro and help fill in the shoes left by on-leave Bobby Ray Parks Jr.

“We’re very happy to have picked Mikey Williams. We think he can contribute immediately,” said TNT mentor Chot Reyes, who also chose Michael Simmonds in the third round.

Meralco mentor Norman Black felt the Bolts were lucky to get scoring dynamo Alvin Pasaol at No. 9.

“We have been a very solid basketball team on the defensive end the past few years and our hope is that Alvin can be a force on the offensive side. He will give us someone who can create his own shot,” he said.

Debuting Rain or Shine coach Chris Gavina said the squad looked for someone who displays “a great deal of character, grit and toughness” and found that in No. 5 pick Santi Santillan.

“He’s a known bruiser,” he said.