Over a hundred hopefuls convene Sunday, Sept. 7, as the PBA Season 50 Draft gets going.
Contrary to popular belief that this batch's 122-man pool is relatively lean, there’s a boatload of talents that teams can choose from in the proceedings at the Mall of Asia Music Hall.
Team scouts and coaches deliberate after a two-day Draft Combine that saw unknown cagers like Sonny Estil and Chris Miller steal the spotlight by winning the tournament Most Valuable Player and the three-point contest, respectively.
Now, here’s a look at how the first round of the draft could turn out.
[RELATED STORY: Who is Sonny Estil, MVP of PBA Season 50 Draft Combine mini tourney?]
1. Terrafirma Dyip
Geo Chiu | Center | Ateneo de Manila University
Geo Chiu | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Geo Chiu may not be the most talented player in the 122-man pool, but, as the old adage has long suggested, height is might.
At 6-foot-9, the former Gilas Pilipinas backup to Kai Sotto stood the tallest.
And in a PBA era dominated by eight-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, every team needs all the size they can get.
[RELATED STORY: Terrafirma weighs options, yet to decide on No. 1 pick for PBA 50 Draft]
2. Converge FiberXers (from Phoenix)
Jason Brickman | Guard | Long Island University - Brooklyn
Jason Brickman is the oldest in this batch at 33, but with age comes wisdom to run a team.
And that is exactly what Brickman can bring to the table for the FiberXers, who are in dire need of a pure point guard to complement the prolific Alec Stockton and the gems in Schonny Winston, Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana.
[RELATED STORY: Converge sends Bryan Santos to Phoenix for second pick in PBA Season 50 Draft]
3. Blackwater Bossing
Juan Gomez de Liaño | Guard | University of the Philippines
Juan Gomez de Liaño | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Blackwater coach Jeff Cariaso is looking for the best available talent at No. 3.
Juan Gomez de Liaño, who has playing experience in Japan, Lithuania and South Korea, fits the bill.
In fact, the spitfire guard has proven to be a man among boys in the two-day combine.
[RELATED STORY: Jeff Cariaso looking for ‘best available talent’ for Blackwater with no. 3 pick in PBA Season 50 Draft]
4. NorthPort Batang Pier
Dalph Panopio | Guard | Cal State-Bakersfield
Dalph Panopio | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
With his talent, Dalph Panopio could even go as high as the top pick.
This former Batang Gilas cager runs the point like he has done it since birth.
During the combine, he showed composure in the face of full-court pressure, made the right decisions, and, to put the icing on the cake, can shoot the ball well beyond the arc.
5. NLEX Road Warriors
Chris Koon | Guard/Forward | Ateneo de Manila University
This could come as a surprise for some, but who would pass up on a 6-foot-5 cager who can play multiple positions?
Chris Koon has shown he was a cut above the rest during the pre-draft workouts.
Besides, Robert Bolick could team up with another player of this caliber at NLEX.
6. Magnolia Hotshots
Will Gozum | Forward | College of St. Benilde
Will Gozum | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Will Gozum is coming off a one-year and three-month layoff after suffering a knee injury.
But he looked at full strength now.
Magnolia, which let go of big man Rafi Reavis recently and lost another forward in William Navarro, could tap the 6-foot-4 to shore up its frontline.
A Zavier Lucero-Gozum frontline pair sounds exciting.
7. Meralco Bolts
LJay Gonzales | Guard | Far Eastern University
LJay Gonzales | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
After further beefing up his credentials at MPBL with the Quezon Huskers, LJay Gonzales enters the draft with more maturity.
That has made him feel ready to make the jump to the PBA.
The former Tamaraw could be the spark the Bolts need to make another championship run.
[ALSO READ: Jude Codiñera, son of PBA legend Jerry, wants to make name for himself as he joins draft]
8. Phoenix Fuel Masters (from Converge)
Yukien Andrada | Forward | San Beda University
Yukien Andrada | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Phoenix got the ire of fans after trading away the No. 2 pick.
But that move could be a stroke of genius for the Fuel Masters, who can now tap a versatile, 6-foot-5 forward in Yukien Andrada with the eighth pick, on top of nabbing a stretch shooter in Bryan Santos from the trade.
9. San Miguel Beermen
Chris Miller | Guard | Salem University
Chris Miller | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Chris Miller introduced himself to Filipino fans as a sweet-shooting guard from Salem University, winning the three-point shootout of the combine.
The 6-foot-2 guard could fit like a glove with the Beermen, who thrive when surrounding Fajardo with shooters.
10. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
CJ Austria | Guard | De La Salle University
CJ Austria can do a lot of things: he can bring the ball down, make a shot from long range and create opportunities for his teammates.
But on top of that, he is fearless.
The last could be his ticket to Rain or Shine, whose coach, Yeng Guiao, is known for tabbing tough and strong-willed cagers regardless of skills.
11. Brgy. Ginebra Gin Kings
Jack Cruz-Dumont | Guard | University of British-Columbia/University of the East
There is more to Jack Cruz-Dumont than being the son of former MBA player John Dumont.
At 6-foot-3, the former University of the East skipper is a big guard that can shoot well from long range, something Ginebra can benefit from after the departure of Jamie Malonzo.
12. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (from TNT Tropang 5G)
Mario Barasi | Center/Forward | Adamson University
Mario Barasi impressed in the recently concluded Draft Combine as he made the Mythical Team of the mini tournament.
The 6-foot-7 forward can navigate the paint really well.
It would be remiss of teams to pass up on someone of his size and skills.