Guessing game on for picks No. 4 and beyond in PBA Draft

SYDNEY – Big men Greg Slaughter, Ian Sangalang and Raymond Almazan will be the top three picks in the 2013 PBA Rookie Draft set Sunday at Robinson’s Place Manila.

The coming draft was the hot topic in informal talks among PBA officials at the end of their planning session at The Westin hotel here.

Also at the conclusion of the PBA summit, Barangay Ginebra and Barako Bull struck their own trade deal with the Kings acquiring the services of rookie guard Emman Monfort for veteran playmaker Rob Labagala.

PBA officials were all saying it’s a no-brainer Slaughter, Sangalang and Almazan will be the top choices. The guessing game is whose names will be called next from the 82 other players who joined the draft pool.

Things have become tricky and complicated with Barako Bull ditching coach Rajko Toroman and reportedly thinking of dealing any of their picks (Nos. 4, 5 and 6 in the first round) on the floor on draft day.

Before being terminated, Toroman was considering Terrence Romeo, RR Garcia, Jeric Teng and James Forrester for their three first-round picks.

Sources said a done deal is Globalport’s acquisition of Barako’s No. 6 pick for veteran guard Denok Miranda. And Petron Blaze and Barangay Ginebra are said to be interested on Barako’s two other first-round choices.

Rain or Shine and San Mig Coffee have two first-round picks, and team officials Mert Mondragon and Rene Pardo have said they might also deal away their second choices.

“Coach Yeng Guiao is looking at Almazan for the No. 3 pick. For the No. 9 pick, coach Yeng may deal it on the floor if there’s no more available talent suited for our need,” said Mondragon.

“We’re already loaded with 13 veterans, then Sangalang will come in as our No. 2 pick. For our next pick (10th overall), we’re likely to get a guard or a wing guy, or trade it for future draft rights,” said Pardo. 

Though insisting they haven’t made a choice, the Ginebra management and coaching staff are expected not to pass up on the opportunity to enlist 7-foot-1 behemoth Slaughter – the tallest player to come from the draft since EJ Feihl in the early 90s. He’s the first No. 1 selection joining Ginebra since Marlou Aquino in 1996.

Romeo, Garcia, Teng and Forrester are also tipped to go high on the drafting whatever happens on Barako’s draft rights.

Globalport is said to be so interested on Teng that’s why the Mikee Romero-owned franchise is acquiring Barako’s No. 6 pick.

At No. 7, Alaska Milk is likely to tab former ace Ateneo wing man Nico Salva.

Other prospective top picks are Fil-Am Isaac Holstein, JR Cawaling, Justin Chua, Alex Nuyles, Eric Camson, Ryan Buenafe, Robbie Celiz, Jeric Fortuna and JP Erram.

Darwin Cordero, an exciting guard from Zamboaga, could be a draft steal.

The complete draft order in the first round is Ginebra, San Mig Coffee, Rain or Shine, Barako Bull, Barako Bull, Barako Bull, Globalport, Alaska Milk, Rain or Shine and San Mig Coffee.