Surprise picks, trades take PBA Draft spotlight

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Even though picks 1 to 3 were already expected, there was no shortage of surprises in the 2013 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Annual Rookie Draft held at Robinsons Place Ermita on Sunday, Nov 3.

The first surprise came when PBA Commissioner Chito Salud announced that Barako Bull traded their 4th overall pick to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in exchange for rebounding forwards Rico Maierhofer and Willie Wilson.

Earlier rumors indicated Ginebra was planning to give up wingman Dylan Ababou for the 4th overall pick.

The crowd favorites used the pick on dynamic swingman James Forrester, adding even more athleticism to a team that already has Japeth Aguilar and reigning Slam Dunk King Chris Ellis on its roster.

GlobalPort youth movement

The youngest franchise in the PBA is looking to build around equally young talent.

The Batang Pier figured in separate trades to get rights to the 5th and 6th overall picks. They used the picks on FEU backcourt tandem Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia.

GlobalPort then used its own picks to tab big man Isaac Holstein 7th overall. They also drafted UAAP Season 75 Finals MVP Nico Salva in the second round.

Surprise picks

The Alaska Aces used the 8th overall pick on savvy forward Ryan Buenafe. Rappler’s mock draft had him being selected 20th overall.

Growling Tiger Jeric Teng who was stellar during the UAAP Season 76 Finals, slid all the way to the 2nd round. Most analysts believed the heady guard would be selected in the 1st round.

Here’s a recap of the PBA Draft:

Round 1

1. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – Greg Slaughter
2. SanMig Coffee Mixers – Ian Sangalang
3. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Raymond Almazan
4. Barako Bull Energy Cola – (Pick traded to Ginebra for Rico Maeirhofer and Willie Wilson) Ginebra selects forward James Forrester
5. Barako Bull Energy Cola – (Pick traded to Petron for Magi Sison and Mark Isip. Petron trades pick to GlobalPort for Yousif Taha) GlobalPort selects Terrence Romeo
6. Barako Bull Energy Cola – (Pick traded to GlobalPort for Denok Miranda) GlobalPort selects RR Garcia
7. GlobalPort Batang Pier – Isaac Holstein
8. Alaska Aces – Ryan Buenafe
9. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Alexander Nuyles
10. SanMig Coffee Mixers – Justin Chua

Round 2

11. GlobalPort Batang Pier – Nico Salva
12. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Jeric Teng
13. SanMig Coffee Mixers – Justin Melton
14. Barako Bull Energy Cola – Jeric Fortuna
15. Alaska Aces – (Pick traded to Talk ‘N Text) John Paul Erram
16. Air21 Express – Eric Camson
17. Talk’N Text Tropang Texters – Robby Celiz
18. Alaska Aces – Chris Exciminiano
19. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Gayford Rodriguez
20. Barako Bull Energy Cola – Carlo Lastimosa

Round 3

21. Air21 Express – Joshua Webb
22. GlobalPort Batang Pier – Jopher Custodio
23. Barako Bull Energy Cola – Darwin Cordero
24. GlobalPort Batang Pier – LA Revilla
25. Petron Blaze Boosters – Sam Marata
26. Meralco Bolts – Anjo Caram
27. Talk’N Text Tropang Texters – Elliud Poligrates
28. Alaska Aces – Raymond Ilagan
29. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Ervic Vijandre
30. SanMig Coffee Mixers – JR Cawaling

Round 4

31. Air21 Express – Angelo Lance Ingco
32. Barako Bull Energy Cola – Jett Vidal
33. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – John Usita
34. Petron Blaze Boosters – Nate Matute
35. Meralco Bolts – Michael Parala
36. Talk’N Text – Chris Sumalinog

Round 5

37. Air21 Express – Randolph Chua
38. Barako Bull Energy Cola – Mike Silungan
39. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – Alvin Padilla
40. Meralco Bolts – Mark Lopez
41. Talk’N Text Tropang Texters – John Villarias

Round 6

42. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – Jens Knuttel
43. Meralco Bolts – Ron Guevarra

Round 7

44. Meralco Bolts – Mark Bringas

– Rappler.com

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