Collegiate Alumni in the 2012 PBA Draft

Now that the different PBA teams have drafted the top guns of the amateur leagues, it's time to look back at those mainly from the UAAP (and some of the NCAA), who made it and how they precisely carved their roads to the professional leagues.

Calvin Abueva (SSC-R Golden Stags, drafted by Alaska - 1st round 2nd pick)

The Beast lived up to his name not just by accidentally destroying the rim in The Arena a few weeks ago, but more importantly by his dominance in the NCAA. His athleticism and capacity to score from all sides of the court makes him the number one option for Alaska. Now that the Aces are not willing to give up L.A. Tenorio, the ace point guard would be happy to throw lobs and dish crazy passes at him.

Aldrech Ramos (FEU Tamaraws, drafted by Barako Bull - 1st round 5th pick, traded to B-Meg)

The Llamados (who will soon change their name to San Mig Coffee) hardly missed power forward Kerby Raymundo, who made his mark in the team through his ability to score both in and out of the paint. With Ramos, who distinguished himself in the UAAP by the same ability that Raymundo has, the team added extra offensive power, and with an All-Filipino conference coming in first thing in the season, Ramos can prove that he is PBA-material.

Chris Tiu (Ateneo Blue Eagles, drafted by Rain or Shine - 1st round 7th pick)

It was quite surprising that Barangay Ginebra opted to draft Chris Ellis over this court general, but it opened up a perfect opportunity for Coach Yeng Guiao, who immediately chose Tiu once the clock was in for the Elastopainters. This will be a win-win situation both for Rain Or Shine and Tiu, as the former will not have star sophomore Paul Lee for the All-Filipino Cup, an opportunity that the latter might take to show how he is ready for the PBA after much experience in the amateur and international leagues.

Yousef Taha (MIT Cardinals, drafted by Air 21 - 2nd round 1st pick)

Air 21 needs big men badly, considering that at this point, the young guns that they have to rely on are Magi Sison and Mark Isip, who have not been dominant in their respective careers. Perhaps with a 6-foot-8 figure, all he needs to practice is his body-banging and low post skills that Coach Franz Pumaren's team needs to relieve their backcourt from the pressure of carrying the team's burden.

Dave Marcelo (San Beda Red Lions, drafted by Barako Bull - 2nd round 2nd pick)

Consider this a big break for the former San Beda big man, as he gets the chance to fill in for the suspended Don Allado and play alongside former UAAP cagers Doug Kramer and Carlo Sharma. Marcelo can pound it in, shoot from the baseline, and haul down big rebounds, and his experience as a member of the Gilas Pilipinas team only polished his skills. With Marcelo in, expect Mick Pennisi court comedy to come out only (and hopefully) in garbage time.

Jewel Ponferrada (NU Bulldogs, drafted by Barako Bull - 2nd round 3rd pick)

In the pre-Parks days of the NU Bulldogs, Ponferada was the sole firepower, which enabled him to develop perimeter shooting and inside scoring to complement a rookie import by the name of Emmanuel Mbe. With Willie Miller still around, perhaps it would be time for Ponferrada to learn from him and slowly take over his role.

Lester Alvarez (Adamson Soaring Falcons) & Emman Monfort (Ateneo Blue Eagles) (drafted by Barako Bull - 2nd round, 5th and 6th picks respectively)

Arguably the best graduating guards of UAAP Season 64, Alvarez and Monfort both bring steady perimeter defense, coupled with consistent 3-point shooting that force opponents to stretch their defenses. The big question is, will their height be of concern in the PBA (Imagine guarding Gabe Norwood)? In his Sinag Pilipinas stint, Monfort showed that his small figure can actually be an advantage, especially when he wants to zip by those taller defenders for quick layups and pull-ups. Alvarez, on the other hand, has shown what he can do as well in the UAAP while guarding taller two guards when he is inserted in the Falcons' lineup alongside Jerick Canada. Expect things to be interest for the Barako Bull frontcourt once Coach Junel Baculi decides on using both of them more frequently.

Woody Co (UP Maroons, drafted by Barako Bull - 2nd round, 8th pick)

This UP alumnus knows what it means to be both a role player and a star player, as he once led the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP, despite dismal records season after season, and won three championships with the NLEx Road Warriors, coming off the bench and scoring when it is needed. At most, Barako Bull will use him as a second or third-stringer, depending on how their two's or threes will produce.

Raphy Reyes (UE Red Warriors, drafted by Alaska - 2nd round, 9th pick)

The Aces have Tenorio, Cyrus Baguio, and R.J. Jazul, so there could be no way that Reyes, whose performance dwindled in his last year with the UE Red Warriors, would have some playing time. However, this may be a good opportunity for him to learn from this impressive guards.

Simon Atkins (De La Salle Green Archers, drafted by Air21 - 3rd round, 1st pick)

It's no wonder that Coach Franz Pumaren would opt to get those whom he coached during his long stint with the Green Archers, but one would wonder why he would pick a spot-up shooter when there are other available backcourt guys in the pool. Put this draft pick under the category "I picked him because I'm familiar with him," because anything more than that need proof.

Janus Lozada (Adamson Soaring Falcons, drafted by Meralco - 3rd round, 4th pick)

In the UAAP Season 74, Lozada could have been the Falcons' biggest player, until one Alex Nuyles came out of nowhere and delivered them to their Final Four appearance. Unfortunately, his post-college career did nothing to show his real potential. And with a Bolts team that features Mac Cardona as the sole legitimate two guy who can score, there is room for growth for the Adamson alumnus.

Bacon Austria (Ateneo Blue Eagles, drafted by Rain or Shine, 3rd round, 7th pick)

Perimeter defense has been Austria's best asset as a Blue Eagle, and then his stint with the Cebuana Lhuiller Gems was a means for him to emerge as a legitimate offensive threat, able to shoot threes and make perimeter jumpers. Thus, being chosen to play for the Elastopainters would give the huge break that Austria needed, and he might need to get in shape to get used to the PBA (Beau Belga and JR Quinahan, here's the third member of Extra Rice, Inc.).

Jerick Canada (Adamson Soaring Falcons, drafted by Ginebra, 3rd round 8th pick)

Canada is small, but he's quick, can defend, pass well, and shoot threes. Jayjay Helterbrand is on the verge of retiring, and the Gin Kings would need Canada's services in the second string. Plus, considering that no one has seen his improvement in the ABL and realized that he's a notch above other guards picked earlier, Ginebra is a draft winner in this regard.

Jumbo Escueta (Ateneo Blue Eagles, drafted by Talk 'N Text, 3rd round 10th pick)

The Tropang Texters have an athletic frontcourt, and what Jumbo Escueta can offer is physicality, the ability to bang bodies with burly frountcourt members of other squads despite his 6 foot 3 frame. Worried about minutes? Coach Norman Black has got something up his sleeve for his former center, so expect surprises to come its way in the All-Filipino Cup.

Kokoy Hermosisima (NU Bulldogs, drafted by Barako Bull 4th round, 4th pick)

At this point, not sure if the Energy Boosters are just trolling or they want to build an all-star UAAP cast.

Jan Colina (Adamson Soaring Falcons, drafted by GlobalPort, 4th round 6th pick)

Colina was one of those who had a great fourth season, but faltered in their last year of playing. Had he played a better fifth year, then the Soaring Falcons could have entered the Finals. With these left behind as he went for a short stint with the ABL, redemption would be a question as he enters a team chuck full of shooters.

Paul Zamar (UE Red Warriors, drafted by Ginebra, 4th round 8th pick)

Three-point shooters. Three point shooters everywhere, and we wonder where Zamar will play heavy minutes with Ginebra or not.

Credits to the internets for the images.

Presenting The PBA-DL Teams

With the Philippine Basketball League under hibernation, it seems that the Philippine Basketball Association Development League (PBADL) will be serve as the home for those amateur players who would want to play in the pros.

With 13 teams in the league (which nearly doubles that of the PBL), this 3-month stint will force college ballers to bring out their A-game earlier than expected, playing a few games to train for the upcoming 74th Season of the UAAP. But then, this is not just another summer training camp, for they have to face up against college league alumni and mainstay amateur league players.

In featuring the following PBADL teams, it would be noteworthy to look at the incoming UAAP Season 74 players and coaches and see how their participation in the PBDL can help them gear up for July.

1.Blackwater Elite
Former Barako Bull and present Arellano University Chiefs coach Leo Isaac will be one of those who will take the reins for this Ever Bilena-sponsored team. It has UP Fighting Maroon Joshua Saret, who obviously needs a lot of exposure in order to make it big next season, considering that, despite having his own share of the limelight during high school, did not become a productive member of the UP basketball team.

2.Freego Jeans
To put it short, it's just an upgrade of the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, and rest assured, they will be taking this league seriously. Coach Leo Austria might find this as an opportunity to experiment with various plays that they can use in the UAAP.

Falcons Janus Lozada, Alex Nuyles, Jan Colina, Jerick Canada, Eric Camson, Roider Cabrera, and Lester Alvarez will be the Austria's main pieces for this league, joined by other Falcons Jeff Olalia and alumnus Mike Galinato. If Adamson wants to stay in the Final Four next year, then they definitely have to fill in the holes that they had last year in terms of defense.

3.Nlex Road Warriors
Former Fighting Maroons coach Boyet Fernandez could have another opportunity to prove himself as he will be the one to lead this team, and in fact he can redeem himself by having some noteworthy talents at his disposal.

Former Blue Eagle Eric Salamat is just one of them, and knowing the way he plays, he might just fit in Fernandez' offensive system that concentrates on swingmen. The Red Lions' Ogie Menor, the SSC-R Stags' Calvin Abueva and UP Fighting Maroons' Woody Co will go with him while they wait for the upcoming PBA draft.

4.PC Gilmore Wizard
It's quite unusual that the Gilmore group of PC manufacturers would form a team, but why not accept them if we want an expanded league? CSB Blazers coach Richard del Rosario will be the one who will be in charge of the team, and he will have a few significant players which include Mapua Cardinals Allan Mangahas and Mike Parala.

5.Pharex Naproxen Sodium Bidang Generix
This former PBL team will have its steering wheels held by coach Gian Carlo Tan, and he has a lot of former UAAP ballers, which include NU Bulldog Edwin Asoro, UST Growling Tigers Aljon Mariano and Chester Taylor, FEU Tamaraw Marlon Adolfo, and DLSU Green Archer James Mangahas.

6.RnW Pacific Pipes
Finally, former Aces player Topex Robinson got hold of the job that he wants from the very start, and he was duly rewarded with a big win last Saturday against PC Gilmore. But then, this team could have been stronger if Blue Eagle Ryan Buenafe will play. Unfortunately, He has to concentrate on his studies so that he can play for the Season 74. Besides, Coach Norman Black would rather have the Blue Eagles participate in other summer competitions where they can play as a team.

7.Cafe France
Former La Salle Green Archer and Pop Cola coach Mon Jose will have to lead this team that features former Bulldog Jewel Ponferada among others.

8.Cebuana Lhuiller Gems
Ex-Adamson coach Luigi Trillo will have a mix of UAAP and NCAA alumni at his disposal, which includes Kelvin Gregorio (UE), Allein Maliksi (UST), Ben Fernandez (FEU) and Hyram Bagatsing (DLSU). He also has current Letran Knight Kevin Alas to back them up.

9.Cobra Energy Drink
Former UE Coach Lawrence Chongson turns to a new page in his coaching career by leaving the UAAP altogether and take over this former PBL franchise. And as always, he has former Red Warrior Paul Lee, who will be the main man on his offensive sets. Other fresh grads playing with him will be Paul Sanga of the FEU Tamaraws, Melvin Baloran, and Kokoy Hermosisima, both from the NU Bulldogs. Significant in their roster would be Ken Acibar, who will serve as the main man of the Red Warriors for Season 74.

10.FCA Cultivators
Chiang Kai Shek aspirants and Air21 assistant coach Arsenio Dysangco takes a step forward as he will try to handle a PBA-DL team that is composed of those who play in minor leagues. Too bad he won't handle someone who will suit up for UAAP's Season 74.

11.Max Bond Superglue Sumos
Entering his last contract year as Growling Tigers head coach, Pido Jarencio has to prove that he can take his boys to greater heights after his UST Tigers dropped to the 6th spot last year. This D-League might be the opportunity for Tigers Jeric Teng, Chris Camus, Melo Afuang, Clark Bautista, Jeric Fortuna, and Aljon Mariano to up their game down the stretch. Fortunately, a few tips and pointers from UAAP alumni Jun Cabatu (DLSU), Roel Hugnatan (AdU), Rudy Lingganay (UE), Mark Benitez (DLSU), Japs Cuan (UST), and Reil Cervantes (FEU - opted out of his final year to enter the PBA draft) can help.

12.Maynilad Water Dragons
This D-League team might not stay for long as it could be given a slot in the pros in the coming years (thus, a whole roster change or probably a whole new team if basketball mogul MVP would prefer to also have a D-League team). But for the moment, it has to play alongside all the D-League amateur teams and would be headed by Red Lions coach Frankie Lim. Joining him in this stint are his boys the Semerad twins (Dave and Anthony), Jake Pascual, Garvo Lanete, and Sudan Daniel.

13.Junior Powerade Tigers
The new Fighting Maroons coach Ricky Dandan has to show that he can carry a team out of a 0-14 hole last year. But first, he has to deal with a D-League team that can promise good results come July. He has Maroons Alvin Padilla, Miggy Manego, Moriah Gingerich, Mark Juruena, and Kevin Wong, and joining them would be alumnus Mike Gamboa.

Credits to Bleacher's Brew and Chinoy Hoops Fan for this large chunk of info.