ALL-STAR Mock 2027 PBA Draft 4.0: Palacielo, Remogat Barge Into Round 1
This is the fourth version of the ALL-STAR mock draft, folks. Keep up.
Between the escalating warfare of UAAP and NCAA hoops, the intensity of the MPBL playoffs, and the unique platform known as EASL, many young hoopers have shown up and showed out. While some big names have seen a decline in their draft stock, a good number of PBA aspirants have been turning heads with their stellar play.
On top of this, the current PBA conference is down to a handful of squads vying for the Governors’ Cup. For most—if not all—of the teams in the league, we have a pretty clear picture of what they need roster-wise.
A lot can still happen over the next two months: new champions crowned, highly touted prospects falling by the wayside. But, at the moment, there are a lot of promising talents who are on the right track.
Note: We’re changing the draft order this month. Since the Governors’ Cup has entered the playoff stage, I referred to the win-loss record of each PBA team in the group stage. On the basis of these records, I arranged each team from highest to lowest.
Having come up with a tentative basis for PBA teams’ finish in the Governors’ Cup—ultimately, the Governors’ Cup champion will be designated as no. 1 in this conference—I applied the weighted percentages to determine the order for this mock draft. As per Inquirer.net, a team’s Philippine Cup finish comprises 40% while its Commissioner’s Cup and Governors’ Cup finishes account for 30% apiece.
Round 1
#1 NIC CABAÑERO – NLEX Road Warriors (from Blackwater)
Think the Road Warriors don’t have room for one more three-level scorer on their lineup? Think again. Nic Cabañero continues to shoot the lights out for Biñan Tatak Gel in the MPBL postseason, and there’s little reason to think that he won’t fit in Jimmy Alapag’s system. Cabañero, a 6-foot-3 offensive weapon who could add size to NLEX’s wing rotation, had 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and one block to help Biñan go up 1-0 in the South Division Finals.
#2 KYMANI LADI – Titan Ultra Giant Risers
Isn’t it a nice “problem” to have when you’re worrying about either Cabañero or Kymani Ladi dropping to the no. 2 pick? On the one hand, I’d say Cabañero has the edge at the moment, given that he’s offered a larger sample size of games than Ladi over the past month or so. On the other hand, Ladi was still a multi-talented menace in Batang Kankaloo’s run to the North Division semis, averaging 15.0 ppg, 8.8 rpg, and 2.5 apg. Someone put him in a PBA jersey right now. (Yes, that means you, Titan Ultra.)
#3 DJ FENNER – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (from Terrafirma)
Ginebra is in position to add yet another insanely talented wing who affects the game in many different ways. If DJ Fenner joins the rotation that currently boasts Jeremiah Gray, Stephen Holt, and Troy Rosario, Tim Cone’s squad gains even more switchability on defense while also equipping themselves for an even better small-ball approach. Fenner has been a strong asset for Abra in the MPBL playoffs, and when the Weavers made their EASL debut on Oct. 3 against Hong Kong Eastern, he posted 13 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
#4 PJ PALACIELO – Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
For anyone who thinks that this is a “prisoner of the moment” pick, I dare you to say that to PJ Palacielo’s face. With all due respect to Reinhard Jumamoy, there’s an argument to be made that the 6-foot-6 center has been the NU Bulldogs’ MVP this season. Watch Palacielo control the glass, punish opposing bigs in the paint, and extend his range, and you’ll see what I mean. As fate would have it, Phoenix has a sturdy backcourt but a bit of shaky big-man rotation. Palacielo, then, fits this team to a tee.
#5 CEDRICK MANZANO – NLEX Road Warriors
If Palacielo has a case for best local big in the UAAP, Cedrick Manzano has been making serious noise among the frontcourt stalwarts in the MPBL. With a solid frame built to withstand the physicality of PBA games, Manzano is a professional enforcer waiting to be unleashed at the next level. In Game 1 of the South Division Finals, the Quezon Huskers’ young center tied his MPBL season high with 15 rebounds; he pulled down eight more in the next game to help Quezon even up the series against Biñan.
#6 JACOB CORTEZ – Terrafirma Dyip (from Converge)
In his final collegiate year, Jacob Cortez has struggled to shoot efficiently for the De La Salle Green Archers. His draft stock takes a hit, thanks to shooting splits like 4-for-13 against UP on Oct. 11 and 3-for-9 versus Adamson on Oct. 18. As the Green Archers pull out all the stops to secure a Final Four berth, expect Cortez to get the call many, many times. Hitting big shots when the stakes are high is Cool Cub’s thing, and that could be enough to remind PBA scouts about how good—no, how great—he can be.
#7 MASON AMOS – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
Is anyone else surprised by the low volume of makes and attempts from Mason Amos this season? Amos has definitely seen better days as a scorer, but his improved post defense and playmaking can still land him a selection in the middle of the first round. The Elasto Painters, of course, are led by one of the biggest advocates of stretch bigs in the past two decades. Perhaps coach Yeng Guiao’s “words of wisdom” can help Amos tap into his lights-out mode once again.
#8 DOMINIC ESCOBAR – Meralco Bolts
The Bolts have a need for both youth and perimeter defense. Drafting Dominic Escobar can address these two issues, and then some. The 6-foot-5 playmaker can hound smaller guards on the outside while also relieving Chris Newsome and Chris Banchero of ball-handling duties every now and then. Escobar is a capable scorer as well: In the month of October, he posted double-digit scoring for three consecutive games as Batang Kankaloo fought their way through the North Division.
#9 JD CAGULANGAN – Magnolia Hotshots
The sight of coach LA Tenorio losing his cool—you know, the one where he says the Hotshots look like…something—is still fresh in our minds. Magnolia is too talented to be suffering first-round exits, but they do have some evident flaws: outside shooting and a lack of two-way play in the backcourt, just to name a few. As such, it wouldn’t be an insane idea for the Hotshots to roll the dice on JD Cagulangan, who can help them in both of those departments. It’ll certainly take a while for Cagulangan, who returned from an ACL injury to suit up for Abra in Game 1 of the MPBL North Division Finals, to get back to peak form.
#10 RAVEN GONZALES – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
Speaking of two-way players, there’s a 6-foot-7 Abra Weaver who’s ripe for the pickings: Raven Gonzales. A DJ Fenner pick at no. 3 means that Ginebra can set their sights on a big man later in the first round, and Gonzales would be a quality pick. Go back to Abra’s quarterfinal series against Quezon City, and you’ll see not one but two games in which Gonzales recorded six blocks. That’s the type of rim protector that Ginebra could use moving forward.
#11 HAROLD ALARCON – Blackwater Bossing (from TNT)
It seems like stuffing the stat sheets has been a personal mantra for Harold Alarcon as he eyes bigger professional prospects in the future. Alarcon’s dirty work for the San Juan Knights has translated into individual numbers and team success. Heading into San Juan’s North Division Finals showdown with Abra, the former UP Fighting Maroon averaged 9.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game in the playoffs.
#12 REY REMOGAT – San Miguel Beermen
A flashy combo guard in a San Miguel uniform? Sure, that makes sense. As UP’s lead guard in Season 89, Rey Remogat has dialled it down with the logo 3s, regained his passing prowess, and steadily improved his decision-making. The fine-tuning of Remogat’s game makes him a late first-round option and, given that the Beermen are perpetually stacked talent-wise, he’ll be in the plum position of adjusting to the pro game without having to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Round 2
#13 GANI STEVENS – NLEX Road Warriors (from Blackwater)
The Road Warriors can add more depth to their big man rotation by drafting Gani Stevens at the top of the second round. Stevens, a steady presence on the offensive glass for UP, can provide solid screens for NLEX’s ball handlers and score with an ever-growing bag of finishes at the rim.
#14 JAKE FIGUEROA – Converge FiberXers (from Titan)
The Kapampangan connection is too strong to ignore when it comes to this pick. Jake Figueroa, a proud child of Bacolor, would fit right in with all the Cabalen folk in Delta Pineda’s squad. But I sincerely wish that Figueroa’s all-around scoring, which has dipped over the past three months, would become an even more enticing factor than his regional ties.
#15 JUSTINE SANCHEZ – Terrafirma Dyip
In the absence of CSB’s highly decorated center (more on him later), Justine Sanchez has had to learn how to play as a versatile wing and a dependable big. Spending more time in the paint allows Sanchez to become a more enticing frontcourt piece, one who can help Terrafirma center Geo Chiu wreak havoc on both ends of the floor.
#16 JORICK BAUTISTA – Converge FiberXers (from Phoenix)
I’ve been saying all along that Converge needs off-ball guards more than ball-dominant shot-makers at this point. In this year’s crop of backcourt talent, FEU senior Jorick Bautista is one of the best catch-and-shoot prospects. If defenders do run Bautista off the 3-point line, he’s comfortable with pulling up in the midrange, and he has a strong grasp of secondary playmaking as well.
#17 ALLEN LIWAG – Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (from NLEX)
At long last, Allen Liwag made his NCAA Season 102 debut during the CSB-JRU matchup on Nov. 6. So much for all the reports that he was out for the season due to his Achilles injury. Still, there’s no denying that the draft stock of Liwag (six points and three rebounds in that 85-79 loss) isn’t as high as it used to be. But if there’s any coach who knows how to get the most out of the two-time NCAA MVP, it’s Phoenix’s Charles Tiu. In other words, I can’t imagine Liwag falling past the first two rounds at this point.
#18 KEAN BACLAAN – Titan Ultra Giant Risers (from Converge)
Titan can use some more swagger in their backcourt. As in, someone who’ll light up the scoreboard and let the opponents know exactly what’s on their mind. Kean Baclaan is all that and more. As he’s proven in Batang Kankaloo’s playoff run, Baclaan dodges zero smoke when his team’s season is on the line, pouring in the points while also getting his teammates involved.
#19 TRAVIS ROBERTS – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
The RoS-Converge quarterfinal series exposed a serious flaw on the Elasto Painters’ side: When their transition offense isn’t going, they need more efficient production in the halfcourt. Travis Roberts has the handles, the agility, and the athleticism to help RoS score when the pace slows down. Playing in Louie Alas’ high-octane system in Ateneo, Roberts has also shown what he can do when it’s time to step on the gas.
#20 PATRICK SLEAT – Meralco Bolts
Patrick Sleat’s September numbers were better than his October stats. Though San Juan nevertheless powered through the North Division in the MPBL playoffs, Sleat needs to pick up his scoring and field goal efficiency if he wants to make noise as a PBA draft aspirant. The former Perpetual Alta already has the size and the hustle—he just needs to get the buckets going again.
#21 LANDYN JUMAWAN – Magnolia Hotshots
More shooting for Magnolia, please! Despite UST’s struggles in the elimination round, Landyn Jumawan has been drawing attention for his ability to shoot from the outside. The 6-foot-4 Jumawan’s ability to space the floor will help Zavier Lucero and Jerom Lastimosa operate more freely in the paint.
#22 PAUL FRANCISCO – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
Cracking Tim Cone’s rotation is a tall task, but a plug-and-play piece like Paul Francisco should be able to endear himself to the Ginebra braintrust. Francisco is the UAAP’s quintessential 3-and-D guard this season, and while some of his contributions don’t always end up on the stat sheet, the NU senior’s impact on both ends of the floor directly leads to winning ways.
#23 MATTHEW MONTEBON – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (from TNT via Blackwater)
Let’s go back to the subject of Rain or Shine’s halfcourt woes. How about drafting a steady point guard who isn’t afraid to take big shots? Matthew Montebon should get serious consideration here, as he can orchestrate the offense during longer possessions while also punishing defenders for leaving him open from beyond the arc.
#24 T-MC ONGOTAN – Titan Ultra Giant Risers (from SMB)
The Giant Risers can make their offense even more exciting with the addition of Arellano’s main man T-Mc Ongotan. Quick on his feet and creative with his finishes, Ongotan is at his best when he’s attacking the rim in open-court situations.
