29 June 2014

No Pick? No Problem

PBA Rookie Draft
The Meralco Bolts were not lucky enough to get at least a pick in the first two rounds of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft this coming 28 August 2014. Just like in 2011, the team traded away most of their picks to try and get a competitive roster that they have right now.

Did they gamble away their future? Well, given their current standings, they sure did. However, one thing is sure. With a pick or no picks, Meralco Bolts can still find light at the end of the tunnel by revisiting what is available in the free agency market and what will be left after the draft.

According to some sources, big names cropping up in the free agency market may include the likes of Asi Taulava. Some might be scratching their heads right now trying to figure out why in the world did Meralco allowed the resurgent big guy to leave the team instead of signing him to a three-year deal before, but who knows. Maybe eventual sister team Air 21 Express - NLEX Road Warriors might be willing to go for a deal since technicality they are still not under the Manny V. Pangilinan umbrella.

The last option available to the Bolts will open itself up after the dust from the 2014 PBA draft settles on the Floor of Robinsons Place Manila. The team can pick from where the other teams have left and examine the quality of snubbed applicants.

Columnist Qunito Henson aptly called the unpicked players from the draft as the "descamisados" (shirtless or those without jerseys), but this does not diminish their potential to contribute to the cause of the Bolts. Besides, the team could be better off with them financially since these players may be signed up for just 30 days at a salary far less than what a drafted rookie could earn. The least a player in a lineup can receive on a 30-day contract is PhP 30,000 – compared to as much as PhP 150,000 for a drafted rookie.

History also shows that there are good prospects from the previous batches of "descamisados" who not only made a good account of themselves, but also proved their worth against those who were picked from the draft. Some of the "unchosen" ones who saw action in the PBA's previous seasons include, Jerwin Gaco (2005), Christian Coronel (2005), Chico Lanete (2006), Al Vergara (2006), Don Dulay (2006), Chad Alonzo (2006), Dennis Daa (2006), Reed Juntilla (2007), Mark Yee (2008), Josh Urbiztondo (2009) and Hans Thiele(2010).

For the Bolts fans, don't give up hope yet. Help could come in some unseen package. Expect nothing from coach Ryan Gregorio, but help could come in the form of grizzly veteran role players from the free agency market or from the young and dynamic energizer "descamisado".

2 comments:

  1. HERE'S A LIST OF FREE AGENTS WHO R AVAILABLE NOW & CAN BE SIGNED: 1. JP ERRAM 6'7" CENTER 2. MIKE SILUNGAN 6'3 FORWARD 3. MIKE PARALA 6.5" PF 4. ALEX CRISANO 6'7" C 5. JOHN SMITH 6'0" PG 6. RAFFY REYES 5'11" PG 7. JETT VIDAL 5'11" G 8. JOHN USITA 6'8" C 9. RUDY LINGGANAY 5'10 PG 10. MAGGI SISON 6'8 C 11. MARK JEFFRIES 6'4 F 12. MARK ANDAYA 6'9 C 13. GIAN CHU 6'10 C 14. L.A REVILLA 5'10 PG 15. DARWIN CORNEJO 5'11 PG 16. JECKSTER APINAN 6'5 F 17. VIRGIL BUENSUCESO 5'8 PG 18. JERICK CANADA 5'11 PG 19. JAMES MARTINEZ 5'11 PG 20. JAYPEE BELENCION... PILI NA MGA SIR, YAN AY KUNG DI MAUUNAHAN NG KIA AT BLACKWATER. BASTA ANG 2 POSITION NA BADLY NEEDED NATIN AY POINT GUARD AT CENTER AT ISA O 2 ENERGY PLAYER/S N ATHLETIC LIKE APINAN

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  2. Basta may quality center at reliable pointguard, medyo ok na. I think Meralco can get both from the free agency, unless they trade their future again.

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