The biggest surprise of all was Alaska’s draft day trade of Kenneth Duremdes to Sta. Lucia. Nobody expected the Aces to let go of their franchise player but coach Tim Cone bit the bullet in rebuilding for the future. Besides, Cone said Duremdes had asked to be traded. Team manager Joaqui Trillo confirmed that feelers were sent to negotiate a trade the night before.
The deal involved the Realtors giving up their first and second round picks. Alaska also surrendered its second round pick, 20th overall, to Sta. Lucia.
Sta. Lucia coach Alfrancis Chua would’ve tapped Sunday Salvacion as the club’s first round pick, fifth overall, if Alaska hadn’t offered Duremdes. For Chua, it was a no-brainer. He was set to choose a rookie hopeful who can slash, shoot the perimeter jumper, run the break, and play multiple positions until Duremdes came along.
"There was no one in the draft better than Kenneth," said Chua. "That was our basic consideration."
Chua said after the trade was consummated, he spoke to Duremdes on his cellphone. Duremdes was in Marbel, his hometown in South Cotabato. Chua noted that Duremdes was excited to join Sta. Lucia. "Close siya kay Dennis (Espino)," added Chua. "So he’s looking forward to playing with Dennis and of course, the rest of the guys, like Marlou (Aquino)." Duremdes, Espino, and Aquino were part of the Centennial squad that took the bronze medal at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok.
The trade preserves Sta. Lucia’s record as the only PBA team without Fil-Ams.
Chua is shaking up the Realtors lineup this season. Sta. Lucia failed to make it to the semifinals of any conference last year. The team finished eighth in the Governors Cup, fifth in the Commissioner’s Cup, and sixth in the All-Filipino Cup with an overall record of 17-18, slipping from 25-24 the previous campaign.
So far, Chua has released Omanzie Rodriguez and Marvin Ortiguerra, both picked up by FedEx, and rehired Paolo Mendoza whose contract had expired last Dec. 31. Others with expired contracts are Gherome Ejercito, Noynoy Falcasantos, Mike Orquillas, and Richard del Rosario.
Chua said he has invited free agent Jason Webb, newly married, to try out for a slot.
With Alaska’s second round pick, Sta. Lucia tapped 6-4 Leo Bat-og. The Realtors only other draft choice was third rounder Ariel Capus.
Another surprise was Talk ‘N’ Text not picking Rico Villanueva in the first round. It was widely speculated that because of the Phone Pals’ Ateneo ties, coach Paul Woolpert would tap the former Blue Eagle center.
Woolpert had a chance to choose Villanueva when Talk ‘N’ Text’s turn to pick came but named Harvey Carey instead. Apparently, Asi Taulava influenced the decision. Carey was impressive in the pre-draft camp last Friday and should make an impact as a rookie. At hindsight, Carey seems to be more of a fit for the Phone Pals as a natural four than Villanueva who would’ve competed with Taulava for playing time at the five spot.
Still another surprise was Alaska’s choice of Brandon Cablay as its second pick, fifth overall, in the first round. Cablay, the draft’s "mystery man," did not play in the pre-draft camp but his agent Bill Rosmarino confided that the Hawaii-born guard creamed Alaska’s Jon Ordonio in a one-on-one faceoff before the draft so the news must’ve reached Cone. Besides, word had gotten around, thanks to tapes doing the rounds of PBA clubs, that Cablay was a certified sleeper in the Mark Caguioa mold.
Shell coach Perry Ronquillo, in fact, told The STAR he was considering Eddie Laure, Villanueva and Cablay as the Turbo Chargers’ first round pick, third overall, the day before the draft. Ronquillo eventually settled for Laure.
A fourth surprise was Purefoods tapping Billy Mamaril in the first round with Villanueva still available. Tender Juicy Hot Dogs coach Eric Altamirano justified the pick by describing the bull-strong Mamaril as the draft’s second best big man, next only to Romel Adducul. Mamaril, 22, may not make an immediate impact in the league but he’s probably just a year away from being a dominant force.
The fifth surprise was Red Bull emerging the valedictorian in the draft. You wouldn’t imagine Red Bull tapping seven rookie hopefuls–a league high–with 10 veterans returning this season. The Thunder picked Villanueva, Cyrus Baguio, Rysal Castro, Vincent San Diego, Dusty Coloso, Clarence Cole, and Ramil Ferma.
Holding live contracts in the Red Bull roster are DaVonn Harp, Willie Miller, Homer Se, Mick Pennisi, Vince Hizon, Lordy Tugade and Jimwell Torion. Those with expired contracts but have been renewed are Junthy Valenzuela, Anton Viloria and Edmund Reyes. Those with expired contracts and are in limbo are Nelson Asaytono, Noli Locsin, and Jay Mendoza.
Among the rookie hopefuls, Baguio and Coloso aren’t immediately available to play. Baguio’s Philippine Basketball League (PBL) contract hasn’t expired and Coloso won’t be able to fly in until May or after he finishes his studies in New Jersey.
Four of the top 10 picks played collegiate