WILL Fil-Am guard Stephen Holt follow the paths of former No. 1 overall picks who are no longer playing for the teams that tabbed them?
While convinced that last Sunday’s 48th season PBA rookie Draft was a talent-laden class, the so-called “farm teams” issue and parity concerns gnaw at Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“The talent level is there. If you are a team looking to strengthen your line-up now, this is the time, record number of draftees, a very deep level of talent,” Guiao said.
“Maganda rito, walang draftees iyong mga malalakas na teams, walang nakuha si TNT nang maaga, walang nakuha si SMB, si Magnolia nang maaga, walang nakuha si Ginebra nang maaga.
“Ang problema lang, in one or two years, baka sa kanila naman mapunta iyong mga na-pick natin ngayon. Parang incubation iyong nangyari,” he added.
Among the No. 1 picks in previous drafts who are no longer playing for the teams that picked them are CJ Perez, Roosevelt Adams, Joshua Munzon, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.
Perez was tabbed by Terrafirma (then known as Columbian) first overall in 2018 but is now plying his trade with powerhouse San Miguel Beer, while Adams packed his bags and went to Japan’s B2 League last year after a so-so stint with the Dyip, who took him No. 1 in the 2019 Draft.
Munzon was also taken as the top selection in 2020 by Terrafirma but he got shipped to NorthPort for Kevin Ferrer early this year.
Ganuelas-Rosser, last season’s top rookie pick, was traded by his original squad Blackwater to NLEX after just one conference.
Guiao’s Elasto Painters got versatile big men Luis Villegas, a product of University of the East at No. 3 and Fil-Am Keith Datu at No. 4 in the first round of the annual proceedings.
Rain or Shine took Henry Galinato with the 15th pick overall in the second round but dealt the former University of the Philippines slotman to TNT for a future first round selection.
The Painters also drafted Sherwin Concepcion (third round), JC Cullar (fourth round), and Larry Arpia (fifth round).
“If you’re serious about competing, this is the time for you to pick your talent and develop that talent. Kung hindi ka serious, incubator ka lang. I think we have to put a lot of emphasis on parity, parity para lalong gumanda iyong liga natin,” Guiao said.
