Newly-installed Blackwater coach Jeff Cariaso is determined to rid the Bossing of their sloppy ways by picking on a key choice who will put an end to the team’s misfortunes in the Philippine Basketball Association.
Assured of the No. 2 selection, the Bossing unveil their selection during the PBA Rookie Draft set to start today at 4 p.m. at the Market! Market! in Taguig.
“I see our pick making an immediate impact, but whoever that pick is, we want to keep it close to our chests for the time being as there’s someone who’ll be picking ahead of us,” Cariaso told DAILY TRIBUNE on the eve of the affair.
Terrafirma will be picking first for the fourth time in the last five seasons after seeing all the top overall rookie picks selected — from CJ Perez to Roosevelt Adams to Joshua Munzon — join rival squads.
This is exactly what Cariaso and Blackwater want to avoid.
“We want to change the culture of the team. We want to build a competitive team and we can start doing it if we will be able to hold on to a good core of players, beginning with our No. 2 pick, who can become an integral part of our system,” said Cariaso, who starred for Alaska during his heyday as a player.
The soon-to-be-named No.2 selection will join veteran players JVee Casio, Baser Amer, Rashawn McCarthy, Yousef Taha and young players Rey Suerte, Ato Ular and MIke Ayonayon, and import Chris Ortiz, a veteran of the FIBA World Cup who played for the Puerto Rican national team.
Although Terrafirma and Blackwater are picking first, Rain or Shine is benefitting from getting picks No. 3 and No. 4.
Just recently, the Elasto Painters invited 6-foot-6 Butler University player Christian David, a twinner who can play both forward spots.
David boosted his stock after his good showing in the Draft Combine although head coach Yeng Guiao and the rest of the staff are still debating among themselves who to pick in the 124-player pool.
“We’re disappointed that we didn’t see them in the Draft Combine. I don’t know if they have a valid reason, but if there’s none, then maybe the league should sanction those players who didn’t join,” Guiao said.
“The Draft Combine was created to give the teams and up close and personal look at the prospects. We won’t have problems with the names that we’re already familiar of, but we will have trouble getting to know those applicants who we’re not familiar with. But nevertheless, we could only hope to see all the applicants joining the Draft Combine.”
Guiao was impressed with David, but they’re also taking a closer look at the other prospects led by Fil-Am guards Stephen Holt and Schonny Winston as well as big men Keith Datu, Brandon Bates, Zavier Lucero and Luis Villegas and talented wingman Ricci Rivero, Archie Concepcion and Ken Tuffin.
Picking No.5 is NorthPort, followed by Phoenix at No.6 and then NLEX takes it turn at No.7.
Meralco, whose coaching staff is made up of Luigi Trillo, Nenad Vucinic and Norman Black, came in full force in the Draft Combine.
Winston, David and Tuffin were the players who made quite an impression.
Converge will also have two first round picks at No. 9 and 10 while NorthPort and Terrifrma also secured extra picks late in the round. The Batang Pier will make selections at No. 11 and the Dyip will be picking last to close out the round.
Also worthy of being given second looks Fran Yu, Henry Galinato, Raffy Verano, John Amores, 6-foot-8 Kemark Carino, James Kwekuteye, Troy Mallillin, Brent Parais and Nikko Panganiban.
