2018 PBA Draft Review Plus Year-End Trades
Most PBA fans will definitely agree when we say that the 2018 PBA Draft was more exciting than usual. It’s not only because of a few big names like one-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) MVP “Baby Beast” CJ Perez, two-time ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) MVP Bobby Ray Parks Jr., or Chooks-to-Go Collegiate Basketball Awards 2018 Player of the Year Robert Bolick, but also because of the trades that happened a couple of days after draft day. Alas, before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s have a quick review of the neophytes who got picked in the first round.
Top Picks of the 2018 Rookie Class
Before draft day, the number one pick was a toss up between CJ Perez and Ray Parks. But Columbian Dyip, even before Parks announced his intentions to join the draft, was already expressing their desire to acquire the 6’1” do-it-all forward from Lyceum of the Philippines. Ray Parks was drafted by Blackwater Elite while NorthPort Batang Pier got Robert Bolick as the third overall pick. Following the top three are Paul Desiderio (NLEX Road Warriors), Trevis Jackson (Meralco Bolts), Javee Mocon (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters), Abu Tratter (NLEX Road Warriors), JJay Alejandro (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters), MJ Ayaay (Alaska Aces), Mike Calisaan (Magnolia Hotshots), JP Calvo (Columbian Dyip), and Jorey Napoles (Phoenix Fuel Fuel Master).
Trades Galore
Just two days after the draft, teams have made some major moves involving key players. The biggest name in the recent slew of trades is Terrence Romeo. San Miguel acquired the high-scoring guard from TNT in exchange for David Semerad, Brian Heruela, and a 2021 first-round draft pick. SMB also got Ronald Tubid back from Columbian Dyip for Keith Agovida. Finally, San Miguel got Paul Zamar from Blackwater for second-round picks in 2021 and 2022.
Some of the rookies, of course, were not spared from the trades. There were reports that Blackwater plans to send second overall pick Ray Parks to Meralco in a three-team deal with TNT. Also involved in the deal is Baser Amer bound for KaTropa while Jericho Cruz and TNT guard Brian Heruela will be sent to the Elite. Blackwater is also reportedly shipping star center JP Erram to NLEX in exchange for rookies Paul Desiderio and Abu Tratter.
What Fans Can Expect
The results of the draft and trades can go either way. It can boost the weaker teams and help them be more competitive in the next conference, or it can make powerhouses like San Miguel and TNT be even more dominant. Whatever it may be, you can’t deny that it will be exciting to see how the stories of the rookies unfold. Will they be able to contribute to their respective teams right away? Will their skills translate to the pros? We can’t wait for the new PBA season to start!
