PBA: Barako Bull Energy Cola 2013 draft preview

2012-13 season recap:

• Philippine Cup: 4-10 (9th)
• Commissioner’s Cup: 5-9 (9th)
• Governors’ Cup: 4-5 (6th), lost 0-1 to the Meralco Bolts in the quarterfinals

What happened last season?

It was a disappointing season for Barako Bull. They started out the season with a young core led by the backcourt duo of Josh Urbiztondo and Allein Maliksi, and had several exciting moments. However, they failed to make the Playoffs in the first two conferences. Yes, they were scrappy and fought every game, but their lack of talent was exposed by the rest of the field.

They blew-up their young core and as the Governor’s Cup rolled along, they looked like a totally different team. They also played like a different team. The Energy Cola found themselves temporarily on top of the league, early in the third conference, and even made it to the quarterfinals.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t maintain their winning ways, as injuries to key players kept them from advancing.


What do they need?

Barako Bull needs talent all over the place.

Their front court is composed of aging journeymen with limited post skills. Their back court is a hodgepodge of role players that fit roles nicely, but are overburdened with the task of carrying the entire team. This is a squad with a lot of working parts but no real motor to drive them to success.

Barako needs a star (or two, or three). They need franchise-altering players who can be the cornerstones of the team. The role players are in place. What Barako needs now is someone who can fit into their system and be the focal point of the team. It’s a lot to ask of a rookie. But given Barako Bull’s current state, they have no choice.


Who do they pick?

Fortunately for Barako Bull, they have several picks in this year’s draft. The middle picks in the first round all belong to them, and this should help infuse talent into the team.

With the fourth pick, the Energy Cola should take UAAP MVP Terrence Romeo. He’s one of the most talented guards in the league, and has shown an uncanny ability to get to the rim and finish against bigger guys. The former FEU standout also has a solid outside jumper and playmaking ability. But most of all, Romeo has swagger, an angas that gives him the star quality Barako needs.

Barako should then take Jeric Teng with the fifth pick. He’s coming off an incredible Finals series where he took his team to the brink of a championship. Teng is a polished scorer that can get his points in a variety of ways. He’s also brings a quiet confidence and a winning attitude to the team.

The Energy Cola can experiment with the sixth pick. They can take Justin Chua, a guy who shot up the draft boards with his solid play in the D-League to improve their frontline, or they can take someone like RR Garcia, a combo guard with a sweet jumper. He too is a former UAAP MVP, who can come off the bench to provide scoring with the bench mob.

With multiple picks in the second round, Barako Bull can improve their size by taking Isaac Holstein or Eric Camson. They can take a chance on former Gilas player, JR Cawaling, NCAA scoring machine Carlo Lastimosa or Gilas cadet guard Justin Melton.

[Try out our 2013 PBA mock draft machine here]

Possible trades:

With multiple picks, Barako Bull can play around and package current players with any of their picks. Ideally, the team should take the players that they want with the fourth and fifth picks and shop around for trade offers for the sixth pick.

An interesting trade partner for Barako Bull would be the GlobalPort Batang Pier. Rumors have been swirling around that Chris Ross is a moveable asset for the latter squad and getting a talented playmaker for any of their picks would be a coup for Barako. Ross brings with him amazing court vision, while playing stingy defense on the other end of the court.

A team that actually needs a first round pick would be Talk N’ Text. Trading for proven players like Ryan Reyes and Ali Peek in exchange for any of Barako’s first round picks, plus Norman Black favorite Emman Monfort would be possible. The Energy Cola would get experienced talent who can contribute immediately, all for the price of a surplus pick. - AMD, GMA News