There were four notable Cebuanos who were picked in the recent Philippine Basketball Rookie Draft. Leading the group is this year’s No.1 overall pick June Mar Fajardo of Pinamungahan. Four picks later, Aldrech Ramos of Balamban was picked by Barako Bull then traded to B-Meg Llamados. In the 3rd round, former Adamson Soaring Falcons point guard Jerick Cañada of Minglanilla was picked by the Barangay Ginebra Kings at No. 28. Five picks later, big man Jan Colina of Mandaue was picked the PBA’s newest team Global Port.
Fajardo is Petron’s choice! (Photo care of Cebu Daily News)
No. 1 Pick June Mar Fajardo is the pride of Pinamungahan, Cebu. He played college ball at University of Cebu. In his career as a UC Webmaster, he was able to lead his school to 2 titles. With Fajardo, UC ended the 9-year reign of UV Green Lancers at the CESAFI. Fajardo had a great rivalry with now Ateneo Blue Eagle Greg Slaughter during the time Slaughter was still playing in Cebu. The Pinamungahan native then played for the San Miguel Beermen in Asean Basketball League where he contributed well in helping the Beermen reach the ABL finals in its inaugural season. He was not planning to enter the draft this year but decided to pursue a PBA career after Petron, ABL San Miguel Beeer’s sister team was able to secure the first over-all pick in the 2012 draft. Petron picked him to make him their premier big man in the near future.
No.5 pick Ramos of Balamban (photo from spin.ph)
Aldrech Ramos was originally picked by Barako Bull at No.5. He switched jackets on the same day as he was acquired by the B-Meg Llamados for Sean Anthony and their 2nd round pick (Dave Marcelo). Ramos was picked higher than what mock drafts placed him. The versatile big man played college ball for the FEU Tamaraws. He played for the Smart-Gilas and has represented the country in international competitions. To prepare for his entry to the PBA, he joined the Philippine Patriots for some seasoning at the ABL. At B-Meg or San Mig Coffee (It’s name this season), he will play with Marc Pingris, Joe De Vance, Rafi Reavis, and JC Intal. His addition gives Coach Tim Cone one of the most athletic forward group in the league. B-Meg had injury concerns all-throughout last season and stacking up high quality big men will assure that the team will experience a minimal drop off in performance in case an injury to a front-court player happens.
Jerick Cañada of Minglanilla was Barangay Ginebra’s 3rd of 6 picks on draft day. The pick is some sort of a move for the future as the Kings are very loaded at that position. JJ Helterbrand, Mike Cortez, and Talisay City’s Robert Labagala currently occupies PG depth chart of the squad. Cañada will be a some sort of insurance should Helterbrand decides to retire or any of the point guards get injured. The Kings needed a PG that can manage a run and gun offense as they have drafted highly athletic forwards Keith Jensen and Chris Ellis in the first round. Cañada not only showed that quality while playing for Adamson in college, he also showed his ability to win in helping Indonesia win its first tile in the ABL.
Jan Colina of Mandaue is Global Port’s 5th of 6 picks. The former UC Baby Webmaster and Adamson Falcon will try to land a spot in PBA’s newest team. He might be too small to play his natural PF spot in the pros but he has shown his intensity on court against bigger and more talented players in the past.
Among the four, the 2 first-rounders are cinch to play in the PBA in the coming season. The two former Soaring Falcons face a tall order in order to secure a spot in a PBA team’s rotation. If the two latter picks fail to get a roster spot in the PBA, most likely, they will be playing at the ABL. With so many decent basketball talents in the country, the PBA should consider adding more teams to give more players a chance to strut their stuff in Asia’s first professional basketball league.
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