After PBA Draft event, most blog writers and sports enthusiasts always come up with their PBA Draft Winners and Losers article, in order to analyze what happened in the said event.
And also, there is always another topic a year/s after the draft, which is very interesting to read for, the draft busts.
Let us relive the all time PBA Draft Busts. Let’s start with…
The PBA Draft 2000
I can’t even imagine how weak this PBA Draft class in the year 2000. It is not the great class to open the Y2K. The first overall pick that time is Paolo Mendoza, a UP shooter, drafted by Sta. Lucia Realtors. And the rest is “forgettable” draft picks. Imagine, Marc Victoria, second pick overall? I didn’t remember that he played for Pop Cola then. And even he played, the hell we care.
Players drafted by Jong Uichico for San Miguel Beermen
We all know the love of Uichico for guards (which is evident in the lineup of Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings), he drafted Joey Mente and Jomar Tierra in 2001, Marlon Legazpi (he is not a guard) in 2003, Paolo Hubalde in 2005. And none of them live to the expectations of Uichico as the replacement to Olsen Racela. Drafting Legazpi when there’s Hugnatan and Jimmy Alapag (a very good point guard)
And drafting Paolo Hubalde when there’s Leo Najorda.
John Arigo
Dubbed as the next “Reggie Miller of the PBA”, even imitating his jersey number, Arigo was drafted by Alaska 5th overall in the PBA Draft 2001. Even he won a championship with the Aces during 2003 and became the scoring leader in Coca-Cola Tigers after he was traded back 2004 – 2009, Arigo exposed his defensive liabilities every game. I think he was too “overhyped” during the PBA Draft 2004. After being traded to Barako Bull and contract issues, he decided to call it quits and leave the PBA for good.
Rommel Adducul
Nicknamed as “The General”, during 1998, he and Danny Ildefonso were once touted as the next big thing in the PBA, but Rommel chooses the MBA to be part of the Manila Metro Stars, while Danny I chose the PBA. And the rest is history. He steered his Metro Stars team to championship, a league record, MVP (I think) but the success of Ildefonso can’t be compared to Adducul. He applied for the PBA 2003 Draft, being picked by BGK as second overall, but he is not the Rommel Adducul anymore who lead the San Sebastian to a 5-peat championship.
Yancy de Ocampo
He was picked by Air21 as the first overall pick in 2002 PBA Draft, this 6’9” player from St. Francis of Assisi was envisioned to be one of the greatest center in the PBA. He was also included in the PBL’s Top 20 Greatest Player of all time. But his career in the PBA went onto a roller coaster ride, he was dealt to Talk N Text, got back at Air 21 and shipped to Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. He was too soft for a Center but has a good mid range jumper.
Samigue Eman
He was dubbed as “The Project” by Siot Tanquincen, but this project never made to blossom because he is not given the playing time in the deep roster of San Miguel Beermen during his stint with the team. Disappointed when he was “demoted” to the lineup, and immediately grab the offer of the Alaska Aces and relive his dreams to be a successful basketball player. But until now, this project never turn into reality.
Bubbling under:
Rich Alvarez
oh. i had the same list 5 years ago!
ReplyDeletehttp://hoops.blink.ph/2006/09/30/top-ten-pba%E2%80%99s-draft-biggest-flops/
anyway, here's the problem i have with the names listed. sure, they are disappointments but they are not necessarily busts. i mean arigo scored 9 points or more except for his last two seasons. adducul's scoring was gone but he had a great rebounding average especially in his ginebra days. mente i thought was a shocker when he was drafted in that spot but i remember when he was averaging less than fifteen minutes and still averaged seven points and more. yancy, despite his averages had a better career than rich alvarez and in some ways, the late top pick jack tanuan.
I think PBA Draft Disappointments is more suitable
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