The 2002 PBA Draft Review and the Top 3 Picks
2002 PBA DRAFT
1st Round 1st Overall Pick by FedEx Express - Yancy de Ocampo
Verdict - WIN! Yancy de Ocampo was the new breed of the center/power forward position in the early 2000s. He shoots 3 pointers with a high percentage. He can also play well underneath the basket, get rebounds and block shots. Yancy de Ocampo is an 11-time PBA champion. Back in those years, coaches in the PBA or even NBA will get mad if their big man plays outside. There is this boring belief that "if your big, only play the inside! Don't waste your height playing the outside!" Thanks to Dirk Nowitzki and coach Don Nelson's era in the Dallas Mavericks for debunking that myth! There was even a belief in those years that "A jump-shooting team will never win a championship. So always go hard, attack the basket and go to the free-throw line." Now thanks to coach Steve Kerr and Stephen Curry for ending that belief in the old times.
There were only a few centers in the PBA that can consistently hit the 3 pointers. Two of them are Yancy de Ocampo and Mick Penissi. Ranidel de Ocampo is also a great 3 point shooter but his more of a power forward, while the other big men in the league are also good but not consistent to be called a great shooter. Today, in the system of coach Yeng Guiao, forwards and centers are required to take long shots or 3 pointers every time they are open. It makes so much sense because it forces the big man of the opposing team to defend outside and an offensive rebound will be the battle of their guards and small forwards but most importantly, once the big guys are on fire and start to hit the 3 pointers they will be so hard to beat.
1st Round 2nd Overall Pick of Coca-cola Tigers - Rafi Reavis
Verdict - Just fine. Listed at 6'8 with a thin body build, Rafi had a rough start in the PBA but he adjusted right away from his 2nd season onward. Rafi Reavis plays the role of a basic center/forward. Not flashy at all. Most of the time he is just there to intimidate and destruct the offensive player with his steady presence on defense and grab some rebounds. Yes, he contributes in blocks and steals, but Rafi's overall effort for his team is mostly not seen in his stats. There are times that you would hardly notice Rafi in the court and then here he comes suddenly getting one rebound and then you will think "nasa loob pala Siya ng court" (he is inside the court?) That's how he operates, silent but efficient. Rafi is an 11-time PBA champion, 3-time PBA All-Star and he got his most improved player award in 2003.
1st Round 3rd Overall Pick of Sta. Lucia Realtors - Omanzie Rodriguez
Verdict - Just fine, but had a relatively short career. Omanzie has been remembered as a small forward that has a good mid-range shot and close to the basket scorer. Sta Lucia obviously missed the best 3 point shooter in this draft in Renren Ritualo. Renren will fall on the 1st round 8th overall pick of FedEx Express teaming up with Yancy de Ocampo making FedEx extremely competitive in the league in those days. Renren Ritualo became the 2002 rookie of the year and arguably the second-best 3 point shooter in the PBA after Allan Caidic.
Steal of the Draft: Renren Ritualo
Honorable mention to the 2002 PBA Draft that a decent career
Verdict - Just fine. Listed at 6'8 with a thin body build, Rafi had a rough start in the PBA but he adjusted right away from his 2nd season onward. Rafi Reavis plays the role of a basic center/forward. Not flashy at all. Most of the time he is just there to intimidate and destruct the offensive player with his steady presence on defense and grab some rebounds. Yes, he contributes in blocks and steals, but Rafi's overall effort for his team is mostly not seen in his stats. There are times that you would hardly notice Rafi in the court and then here he comes suddenly getting one rebound and then you will think "nasa loob pala Siya ng court" (he is inside the court?) That's how he operates, silent but efficient. Rafi is an 11-time PBA champion, 3-time PBA All-Star and he got his most improved player award in 2003.
1st Round 3rd Overall Pick of Sta. Lucia Realtors - Omanzie Rodriguez
Verdict - Just fine, but had a relatively short career. Omanzie has been remembered as a small forward that has a good mid-range shot and close to the basket scorer. Sta Lucia obviously missed the best 3 point shooter in this draft in Renren Ritualo. Renren will fall on the 1st round 8th overall pick of FedEx Express teaming up with Yancy de Ocampo making FedEx extremely competitive in the league in those days. Renren Ritualo became the 2002 rookie of the year and arguably the second-best 3 point shooter in the PBA after Allan Caidic.
Steal of the Draft: Renren Ritualo
Honorable mention to the 2002 PBA Draft that a decent career
Homer Se - 1st round 5th overall pick by Red Bull
Renren Ritualo - 1st round 8th overall pick by FedEx
Chester Tolomia - 1st round 9th overall pick by Ginebra
Leo Avenido - 1st round 10th overall pick by Coca-Cola
Gilbert Lao - 2nd round 11th overall pick by Coca-Cola
Chito Victolero - 2nd round 13th overall pick by Sta. Lucia
Celino Cruz - 3rd round 19th overall pick by Talk N Text
Aries Dimaunahan - 3rd Round 26th overall pick by Ginebra
Leo Avenido - 1st round 10th overall pick by Coca-Cola
Gilbert Lao - 2nd round 11th overall pick by Coca-Cola
Chito Victolero - 2nd round 13th overall pick by Sta. Lucia
Celino Cruz - 3rd round 19th overall pick by Talk N Text
Aries Dimaunahan - 3rd Round 26th overall pick by Ginebra
