PLAN UPGRADE
Talk of an apparent shake-up in the order of the PBA Rookie Draft swirled on the first day of the Combine, with Converge set to benefit from its proposed trade with Phoenix.
Converge has proposed a deal to get Phoenix’s No. 2 pick in Sunday’s proceedings with the Fuel Masters to give up their No. 8 pick and incoming third-year forward Bryan Santos.
Both actually got one transaction approved by the league on Thursday, with Converge getting the rights of center Larry Muyang and Phoenix getting guard Evan Nelle from NorthPort. The Batang Pier got Jeo Ambohot to complete a three-team swap.
Converge stands to benefit a lot if the trade is approved, as it gives the team a chance to possibly snag some of the projected picks in what has been described as a relatively shallow Draft slated at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
“One reason based on the composition of the team is that we’re not comfortable with what is perceived at the top of the Draft order as far as fitting with what we have and the direction that we’re going,” explained new Fuel Masters coach Willy Wilson.
Terrafirma owns the top choice and will get the first opportunity of snatching either Juan Gomez de Liaño, Jason Brickman, Geo Chiu, Will Gozum or Dalph Panopio.
Whether the Dyip keep whoever they choose or continue the trend of trading him in the unforeseeable future remains to be seen.
“For now, we’re undecided,” Ronald Tubid, newly appointed Dyip mentor, said during the Combine held at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. “We have a list already. Though it’s not 100 percent, we already have someone in mind.”
That leaves Converge with possibly the next best option and the FiberXers could add more talent to a core powered by Justine Baltazar, Justin Arana and Alec Stockton.
Converge came close to reaching the semifinals in two of the three conferences last season, and is aiming for more with Dennis “Delta” Pineda seen as having a much bigger role for the upcoming campaign.
Phoenix, on the other hand, got someone experienced in Santos, known for his outside shooting and defense, while easing some pressure as far as getting a diamond in the rough in what some say is a Draft class that lacks the star power.
“Contrary to what is widely spoken about, it’s a very talented pool of players,” Wilson said. “Just maybe not in the perceived sense of what we’ve seen in the past. I think there is a vast array of skilled players. It’s just that we don’t have the ‘big’ names that we were hoping for.”
Most of the 128 applicants showed up during the first part of the Combine, which had them undergo measurements and biometrics, followed by an orientation of the Uniform Players Contract.
Games soon followed with the hopefuls divided into 12 teams that would allow them to be totally scrutinized by coaches who came in attendance.
The mini-tournament continues on Friday to wrap up the Combine, with Gomez de Liaño and Gozum expected to suit up for their respective teams.
