Interesting pool up for grabs in PBA draft

MANILA, Philippines — Coaches are thrilled about the talent pool that’s up for grabs in Sunday’s PBA Season 48 Rookie Draft.

Former La Salle big man Justine Baltazar and fancied Fil-Am guard Sedrick Barefield lead the 70-player aspirants, making themselves available for selection two years after their first attempts fizzled out. The 6-foot-7 Baltazar pulled out in 2022 to join Hiroshima in the Japan B. League while the 6-foot-2 Barefield, a former G-League player, failed to meet eligibility requirements back then.

Other notable prospects include Fil-Am Caelan Tiongson, former Korea campaigners RJ Abarrientos and Dave Ildefonso, Kai Ballunggay, Evan Nelle, CJ Cansino, Jonell Policarpio, Ben Phillips, Mark Nonoy, Jerom Lastimosa and former PBA 3x3 star Brandon Ramirez.

“It’s going to be a strong first round, I think. The draft is really very strong. I think there’s going to be 12 players in that draft that can really impact the league,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone as he attended the last day of the Draft Combine yesterday.

“We’re just talking about it (with assistant) coach Olsen (Racela) how this draft looks so much stronger than what we thought.”

Converge owns the No. 1 overall pick in the selection process and chief strategist  Aldin Ayo embraces the happy problem of choosing who.

“It will be difficult because it will make you think. There are players in the pool that… you can have as a foundation or cornerstone of the program,” said Ayo.

Reportedly on top of the FiberXers’ mind is Baltazar, his former La Salle player, with Barefield also being strongly considered.

“One month before the deadline (submission of application), we thought the draft would be boring. Then, just last week, all of a sudden everything became interesting because of the players who declared. We thought it would not be deep. But when Barefield, Poli declared, the pool became deep enough,” Ayo said.

After Converge, Blackwater will pick second followed by Terrafirma, Phoenix, NorthPort and NLEX. Rain or Shine will draft back-to-back at Nos. 6 (acquired from trade with Blackwater and TNT) and 7 before Magnolia, Ginebra, reigning Philippine Cup kingpin Meralco and Commissioner’s Cup ruler San Miguel Beer take their turns.

In the second round, ROS will go first (from trade with Converge).