Belo looms as top pick for PBA draft

MANILA, Philippines - For Blackwater, Mac Belo is an easy choice as the top pick among Gilas Pilipinas players in the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft slated next Sunday at Robinsons Place Manila.

The Blackwater Elite management and coaching staff, however, will still have to discuss their choices for the No. 1 pick in the regular draft.

Dioceldo Sy, team owner of the Blackwater franchise, said they will make good use of their draft rights and will also look for good material from the trade and free-agent markets to beef up their lineup and boost playoff chances in the coming PBA tourneys.

“We pick Belo from the Gilas draft. From the regular draft, I will discuss our choice with my coaching staff as I fly back to Manila,” said Sy in a text message to The STAR from Vancouver where he’s on a business trip.

“Hopefully, with these two new drafts, some trades and pick-ups these couple of weeks, Blackwater should improve. I’m very tired of being at the bottom these past two years. I think our time has arrived,” added Sy.

Sy is also hoping for the quick recovery of John Paul Erram from an ACL injury.

The 6-foot-7 center was on a breakthrough run, averaging 11 points and 5.4 rebounds when he went down with the injury in their fifth game in the recent Governors Cup.

“We really felt the absence of Poy in the middle,” said Sy.

As Eric Durham also suffered an injury and was replaced by Keala King, the Elite wound up with just a win against 10 losses – unable to sustain some improvement in the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup where they collected three wins in each tourney.

In their maiden season in the 2014-15 campaign, the Elite were dead last in all three tourneys.

But with those poor showings, Blackwater is assured of the top pick from the Gilas draft although the PBA board of governors has yet to determine the full draft order. The league officials resolve the matter Thursday.

PBA coaches agree Belo is the top choice from both the special and regular drafts.

The next choices could be Jio Jalalon, Kevin Ferrer, Roger Pogoy, Arnold Van Opstal, Ed Daquiaog and Russel Escoto.

From the regular draft, Raphael Banal, Gelo Alolino, Jonathan Grey, Paolo Javelona, Mikee Reyes, Chris Javier, Raymond Jamito, Jeff Javillonar and Joseph Eriobu are said to be among the promising ones.

For Sy, one thing is no-brainer – Belo is the top choice from the Gilas players.