PBA Draft 2003 Review
2003 TOP 3 PBA DRAFT
Mike Cortez - the 1st round first overall pick by Alaska
Verdict - Just fine. Alaska drafted Mike Cortez for he was the safest "bet" among point guards in the draft. After Alaska traded the aging Johnny Abarientos and Poch Juino to acquire Ali Peek and Jon Ordonio, (which actually was a nice move to get Ali, a dominating PF) Alaska was missing the presence of a super point guard to facilitate. Alaska hoped Mike Cortez will become the new "flying A", Mike had all the opportunities there and playing time. Mike's performance was good and steady but it did not meet that expectation of the next Johnny Abarientos of Alaska as he was overshadowed by Jimmy Alapag. Jimmy was the 2003 rookie of the year and the steal of this draft. The Mighty Mouse landed to Talk N Text as the 1st round 10th overall pick and Jimmy is arguably the best PBA 3 point shooting point guard in history.
Mike Cortez is still playing today in Blackwater as a reliable veteran.
Mike Cortez is still playing today in Blackwater as a reliable veteran.
Rommel Adducul - the 1st round 2nd overall pick of Ginebra
Verdict - Win, to Just fine. Rommel "The General" Adducul was a steady center/power forward. In the 2000 era where a new breed of Filipino-American centers and forwards joining the league, it was hard for the pure big locals to adjust for they look much slower and slightly weaker. Thanks to that, the homegrown centers and forwards today have evolved and realized the importance of bodybuilding to add strength and muscle along with quickness. Rommel is a 3-time PBA champion and a 4-time PBA all-star. All his career, Rommel was not a total dominating big man like Danny Ildefonso or June Mar Fajardo but he was really steady and reliable on offense and defense.
Eddie Laure - the 1st round 3rd overall pick by Shell
Verdict - Just fine. Eddie is was known for his sharp perimeter shooting. He was a shooting guard that does not demand the ball and more of a role player. Eddie Laure made a relatively long 13-year career in the PBA out of that. Before entering the PBA, Eddie was the MBA 2001 most valuable player.
Honorable mention to the 2003 draft that made a decent career
Harvey Carey - 1st round 4th overall pick of Talk N Text
Brandon Cablay - 1st round 5th overall pick of Alaska
Billy Mamaril - 1st round 6th overall pick of Purefoods
Enrico Villanueva - 1st round 7th overall pick of Red Bull
Reynel Hugnatan - 1st round 9th overall pick of Coca-Cola
Jimmy Alapag - 1st round 10th overall pick of Talk N Text
Sunday Salvacion - 2nd round 11th overall pick by Ginebra
John Ferriols - 2nd round 12th overall pick by FedEx
Adonis Sta. Maria - 2nd round 13th overall pick of Shell
Cyrus Baguio - 2nd round 14th overall pick of Red Bull
Eugene Tejada - 2nd round 15th overall pick by Sta. Lucia
Ronald Tubid - 2nd round 16th overall pick by Shell
Leo Bat-Og - 2nd round 20th overall pick of Alaska
Bruce Dacia - 3rd round 21st overall pick of FedEx
Rob Johnson - 3rd round 22nd overall pick of Ginebra
Gec Chia - 3rd round 28th overall pick of Coca-Cola
Stephen Padilla - 3rd round 29th overall pick of Alaska
Kalani Ferreria - 4th round 30th overall pick of FedEx
