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PBA: 'Protect 12’ picks for Alaska, Barako, Ginebra, Meralco and Rain or Shine
Last week, the PBA announced that they were reducing the number of players its current 10 franchises were allowed to save in the upcoming expansion draft for NLEX, Blackwater and Kia, from 14 to 12.
The move was in response to requests for additional concessions from the newest members; they also asked for direct hires but were denied, but got additional draft picks as well.
While teams won’t be making decisions based on who to protect until after the Governors’ Cup, because squad can still change between now and then, we figured we’d give them some early help. In part one of a two-part series, Polo Bustamante picks 12 players to save from the ranks of the Alaska Aces, Barako Bull Energy Cola, Barangay Ginebra, Meralco Bolts and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Agree with his selections? Let us know in the comments.
ALASKA ACES
- Calvin Abueva
- Jvee Casio
- Sonny Thoss
- Cyrus Baguio
- Vic Manuel
- Gabby Espinas
- Dondon Hontiveros
- RJ Jazul
- Tony Dela Cruz
- Chris Exciminiano
- Ryan Buenafe
- Raffy Reyes
Why the 12?
Keeping players 1 to 9 was a no-brainer as all of them are rotation guys. They play heavy minutes, and because of the continuity of this team, have developed key roles for Coach Luigi Trillo in the past few conferences. When any one of these players is out, the rest of Alaska’s rotation has to carry a heavier burden.
Protecting Exciminaino, Buenafe and Reyes is more than just an insurance move in case any of the regular rotation players go down. These three are the young guys that Alaska should develop as future key players of the franchise.
Toughest omission: Samigue Eman
Eman’s career never panned out. The highlight of his career was being the second overall pick in 2007. After that, it’s been bustville for this once highly-touted prospect. However, Eman is still a 6’9” center. In a growing league, a PBA team can never have enough ceiling. As Thoss’ back-up, Eman has shown flashes of being a nice rotation center, playing with energy on defense and focusing on the dirty work. He’d be a solid pick-up for any expansion team.
BARAKO BULL ENERGY COLA
- Carlo Lastimosa
- Jeric Fortuna
- Ronjay Buenafe
- JC Intal
- Willie Miller
- Mick Pennisi
- Dorian Pena
- Denok Miranda
- Willy Wilson
- Keith Jensen
- Dave Marcelo
- Mark Isip
Why the 12?
The top priority for Barako is to secure Carlo Lastimosa and Jeric Fortuna. These rookies have been second-round steals and are producing big numbers and giving quality minutes to the team. The next order of business is to protect the most productive players in their roster.
The reason Barako Bull surprised a lot of teams is because guys like Intal, Buenafe and Wilson have stepped up, given an increased role with the team. Keeping these players alongside the Manong Brigade of Miller, Pennisi and Pena will help Barako remain competitive even without a star player.
Toughest omission: Jason Deutchman
By being part of three teams in less than a year, Jason Deutchman hasn't had the chance to show the league how good he is. But most people forget that this 6’6” forward was once touted as a first-round pick because of his shooting, length and athleticism. Given the chance with a new team, Deutchman can possibly elevate his status from “trading chip” to “key contributor.”
BARANGAY GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL
- Greg Slaughter
- Mark Caguioa
- LA Tenorio
- Japeth Aguilar
- Chris Ellis
- Mac Baracael
- Jayjay Helterbrand
- Jay-R Reyes
- Emman Monfort
- Dylan Ababou
- James Forrester
- Billy Mamaril
Why the 12?
Keeping this 12 might actually not mean anything, if Ginebra starts trading players away in the break between conferences. But given this current roster, protecting players 1 to 9 is an obvious move. Keeping the superstar core of Slaughter, Caguioa, Tenorio and Aguilar should help with the continuity of the team. Protecting key contributors in Ellis, Baracael, Helterbrand is just as important.
Keeping this stacked team together should be the priority of Ginebra management. Letting any of their rotation players go to the expansion draft might mess with this team’s chemistry even further.
Toughest omission: Josh Urboiztondo
Urbiztondo was a tough omission because of everything he’s accomplished. He’s been the starting PG for a championship team, the leading scorer for Barako and late addition to a Ginebra team that surged all the way to the Finals of the Comissioner’s Cup last year. But in this current Ginebra line-up, he just doesn’t fit. Monfort brings the same defense Urbiztondo brings but with better playmaking and less wild threes. Ababou is a much more versatile player. Forrester is a project that fits the Ginebra mold for swingmen. Mamaril is a much-needed Slaughter insurance that the team can’t give up yet.
Given all of Urbiztondo’s accomplishments, he should be one of the first picks in the upcoming expansion draft. His leadership, offense and streakiness is something any new PBA team can use.
MERALCO BOLTS
- Jared Dillinger
- Cliff Hodge
- Gary David
- John Wilson
- Reynel Hugnatan
- Sunday Salvacion
- Anjo Caram
- James Sena
- Rey Guevarra
- Danny Ildefonso
- Chris Timberlake
- AJ Mandani
Why the 12?
Picking 12 players to keep for Meralco was a tough task. They’re a top-heavy team that relies heavily on Dillinger, Hodge, David, Wilson and Hugnatan. The rest of the team are all great role players who have helped Meralco go deep in the playoffs these past few conferences.
Keeping Caram would not have been an option earlier in the year. However, the former Red Lion has been a great point guard option for Meralco this conference. His basketball IQ and speed hide the weaknesses his height and frame might bring. This youth movement of Meralco should continue and keeping up-and-comers like Caram, Mandani and Guevarra should help with this cause.
Toughest omissions: Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Mike Cortez
These are big names to omit from the team. Both are former top overall picks and it may seem silly for them to be tossed into the expansion pool. But Al-Hussaini and Cortezt have lost their spots in Meralco for different reasons.
Cortez just hasn’t been healthy the past few conferences. Because of this guys like Caram, Mandani and Timberlake, the Bolts have effectively played point guard duties by committee. Al-Hussaini on the other hand has been outworked by shorter, smaller, less talented guys on the team. Even a player in the twilight of his career has looked good compared to the former King Eagle. His lack of effort just doesn’t fit in this tough and defense-oriented Meralco team.
RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS
- Paul Lee
- Jeff Chan
- Gabe Norwood
- Beau Belga
- Jervy Cruz
- Ryan Araña
- Raymond Almazan
- Chris Tiu
- Alex Nuyles
- JR Quiñahan
- Jireh Ibañes
- Jeric Teng
Why the 12?
How does one protect only 12 in a team that can field as many as 14 productive players in a game? It’s going to be tough for Rain or Shine management to decide on which players to open up to the possibility of a new team snapping them up. This team’s most productive offensive players in the past few years have been Paul Lee and Jeff Chan. Keeping them is a must. Gabe Norwood and Beau Belga are their defensive cornerstones, so locking them up is just as important.
From there, it’s a matter of deciding which players are the most crucial to their team. It’s important to make space for their promising crop of rookies, all of whom fit so well in the Rain or Shine system.
Toughest omissions: TY Tang, Larry Rodriguez
For a team like Rain or Shine leaving guys like Tang and Rodriguez to the expansion draft means they won’t be Elasto Painters anymore come next season. It’s not for a lack of talent that these players are kept unprotected. It’s just that there are other more productive members of the team. It is also important for Rain or Shine to protect their rookies for the development of the franchise moving forward.
Tang and Rodriguez have shown enough as Elasto Painters for teams not to pass them up come the expansion draft. Tang filled in very well for Lee when he got injured last season. His shooting and ability to run a team makes him a solid starting point guard option. Larry Rodriguez is a banger. He’s a scrappy vulture who will get any team extra possessions through his hustle and rebounding. Offensively, his midrange jumper is a sure two-points.
- AMD, GMA News
