As expected, Petron Blaze made wide-bodied, 6-foot-10 JunMar Fajardo the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 38’s No. 1 pick while double-double monster Calvin Abueva of San Sebastian was taken as the No. 2 choice by Alaska yesterday in the league’s Annual Rookie Draft at the Robinsons Malate in Manila.
In an unexpected move that caused a minor ripple among the predicted lineups of favored choices, Fil-Am Alex Mallari, whose attacks and defensive tenacity has been compared to Talk ‘N Text guard Jarred Dillinger, was chosen by the Power Boosters who also owned the No. 3 pick.
Petron’s choice of Mallari was unexpected in that the San Miguel franchise was said to have had its sights on Clifford Hodge, a quick and wily 6-foot-4 guard who could have added to a talent-laden backcourt. Hodge was instead picked at No. 4 by Meralco.
Former Smart Gilas forward Aldrech Ramos was temporarily taken by Barako Bull at No. 5.
Barangay Ginebra, which also enjoyed two picks in the first round, chose Chris Ellis at sixth.
Drawing huge applause from the big Sunday afternoon crowd was the seventh pick of recently-crowned Governors’ Cup titlist Rain or Shine which wasted no time in taking in Chris Tiu, the former Smart Gilas Pilipinas leader who would be bringing in more than his skills at the off and point guard positions.
Tiu is also expected to bring with him a huge fan base built around years of television hosting and various product endorsements.
Another Fil-Am Keith Jensen, a 6-foot-5 banger, was taken in by the Gin Kings as their second pick in the first round at eighth.
Brand new ballclub Global Port Batang Pier of businessman Mikee Romero immediately joined the trading game and jumped at the opportunity of making and extra pick in the first round when it agreed to a trade with B-Meg while letting go of forward Sean Anthony.
Global Port, whose acquisition of the Powerade franchise was only approved by the PBA board last Wednesday, also got under-utilized longshooter Val Acuna in that trade with the Llamados then picked Vic Manuel as the Draft’s No. 9 choice.
Global Port closed out the first round when it took in another Fil-Am Jason Deutchman.
In the second round, Yousef Taha who, at 6-foot-8, became the second legitimate big man to be drafted after Fajardo, went to Air 21 as the 11th overall pick before B-Meg went to the trading table anew.
The Llamados traded the 12th overall pick and Anthony to Barako Bull for Ramos. The Energy, in turn, exercised that acquired pick in choosing former San Beda standout Dave Marcelo.
B-Meg went back to the Draft for the 13th pick, acquiring former Adamson forward Jewel Ponferada.