PBA: 2012 draft preview round-up

With the 2012 PBA draft slated for August 19, and the purchase of the Powerade franchise completed, it's now time for teams to finalize their plans, figure out what ails their team, and what solutions are available. GMA News Online rounded up a panel of three basketball fanatics, asked them to put on their general managers' hats, and navigate the waters of this draft. 1. B-Meg Llamados Big need: A big man who can score on the perimeter, or another energy guy With the ninth overall pick, B-Meg takes… Carlo Pamintuan said the Commissioner's Cup titlists could benefit from a guy like Aldrech Ramos or Vic Manuel. While it's no guarantee that either would be able to step in immediately, they both possess that mid-range game, as well as the needed hustle, that would make them good complements to the likes of Marc Pingris and Yancy De Ocampo. 2. Alaska Aces Big need: An additional creator on offense With the second overall pick, Alaska takes… Chuck Araneta felt that while LA Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio can make their own shot, the team still needs one more piece to put them over the top. The team has said that they are picking between Calvin Abueva and Cliff Hodge, and both fit the bill. Hodge gives them the 4 they've lacked for a long time, while Abueva gives the normally "safe" team a much-needed edge. 3. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Big need: A big man who can be an option on drive and dish plays With the seventh overall pick, Rain or Shine takes… Coming off a Governors' Cup championship, this selection might just be a cherry on top of the sundae for Painters, according to Carlo Pamintuan. The previously mentioned duo of Aldrech Ramos and Vic Manuel would fit like a glove, but the team can afford a reach for Dave Marcelo, who's a solid defender and can learn behind RoS' "Extra Rice" frontline. 4. Barako Bull Energy Big need: A playmaker With the fifth overall pick, Barako Bull takes… Polo Bustamante feels "Manong Republic" sorely needs a young creator, what with the uninspiring duo of Celino Cruz and Shawn Weinstein filling up the point guard position at the depth chart. Tiu's more of a combo guard, but has a high basketball IQ, while Mallari could be a solid point forward ala Gabe Norwood. 5. Air 21 Express Big need: Talent With the 11th overall pick, Air 21 takes… With this team needing an upgrade at virtually every position, Chuck Araneta has the team picking between big men Kelly Nabong and Jason Deutchman, with point guard Lester Alvarez as an option as well. There's not a lot the squad can do with just a second round pick, which is likely why they're also looking at trade options. 6. Petron Blaze Boosters Big need: A center with a post-up game With the first overall pick, Petron takes… June Mar Fajardo, come on down! Then in a case of the rich getting richer, Chuck Araneta has Petron gleefully picking up whoever Alaska doesn't pick between Calvin Abueva and Cliff Hodge, with Chris Tiu being an outside choice. 7. Meralco Bolts Big need: Upgrades at both forward positions With the fourth overall pick, Meralco takes… Polo Bustamante has Meralco eying a trio of PBA Development League alumni, namely Cliff Hodge, Chris Ellis and Alex Mallari. All three have the athleticism and consistent game needed to complement Sol Mercado and Mark Cardona. 8. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Big need: Legitimate big men With the sixth and eighth overall picks, Ginebra takes… Carlo Pamintuan felt that this would have been the perfect spot for Ronald Pascual had he stayed, but with him out, a pairing of Alex Mallari and Aldrech Ramos makes the most sense to continue the Ginebra youth movement 9. Talk 'N Text Big need: Health With the 20th overall pick, Talk 'N Text takes… Polo Bustamante thinks it's highly unlikely the Tropang Texters draft someone who will contribute on what is an already stacked team when everyone's fit, but former Norman Black player Emman Monfort of ADMU could be an option. So too is Jewel Ponferrada as an emergency big man. 10. GlobalPort Batang Pier Big need: Glue guy With the 10th overall pick, GlobalPort selects… With the last pick of the first round, Polo Bustamante thinks the newly renamed Batang Pier ought to tap the best available talent. That could mean someone like Keith Jensen, who allows Sean Anthony to stop being an undersized power forward. Think you can do a better job? Try the mock draft machine here What's your stand on drafting for need versus drafting talent? Check out FTW's debate here - AMD, GMA News