The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is proving to be a launchpad for Non-UAAP and Non-NCAA players who are aspiring of making it big into the professional ranks, particularly the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Every year, young basketball talents from renowned collegiate leagues all over the country such as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) among others submits their application to be drafted into the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Given the limited number of teams competing in the PBA, getting drafted early during draft night is very challenging to say the least especially with the influx of Filipino-Foreigners trained abroad.
There are currently twelve (12) teams that are participating in the PBA which hosts a three (3) conference format annually. With only around fifteen (15) players that can officially be lined up each team, getting drafted, much less receiving playing time, is very competitive. There are also very few players who retire every year; thus, there are very limited roster spot up for grabs.
Teams need to draft young players for various reasons. First and foremost is that they need talents who can bring trophies to the team. Thus, teams are aiming to get the number one (1) pick in order to snatch the best talent in the draft pool who can be their franchise player for several years to come.
Furthermore, drafting young bloods makes it possible for a team to replenish its roster depleted by injuries. Whether you like it or not, injuries happen and teams hope to attract talents who cannot just be replacements for the injured but who can also be contributors to the team.
Lastly, and for strategic reasons, getting young rookies ensure that the system develop and fostered by a team will be continued for the succeeding seasons. In essence, rookies are investments for the future.
MPBL players stood out in the 2019 PBA Draft
In the most recent PBA Draft, a number of MPBL players were selected even in the first round. This just shows that a lot of PBA teams had their eyes set on the upstart MPBL as a viable source of young basketball talents. As a proof, seven (7) out of the twelve (12) first round picks either played or are currently playing in the MPBL which is the fastest growing basketball league not only in the Philippines but perhaps in Asia as well.
But what’s interesting about this year’s draft is the emergence of MPBL stars who did not graduate from big universities in the UAAP or NCAA. It is very much an open secret that UAAP and NCAA players enjoy bigger advantage as compared to their peers who played in little-known leagues simply because of the large exposure. Thus, for us to see that the first MPBL Player drafted in the first round as third (3rd) overall was not from any UAAP or NCAA school is a testament that the MPBL is a viable path for those who want to develop more their game and skills before jumping into the big leagues.
Let's get to know the some of the biggest names in the MPBL who are about to make a splash in the PBA.
1. Mike Ayonayon
Mike Ayonayon is definitely one of the elite hoopers in the MPBL. Last season, he was instrumental in winning the championship trophy for the San Juan Knights while bagging the Most Valuable Player award in the finals.
He carried over his stellar performance into the current MPBL Lakan Season cup where he is averaging 12.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in the 30 games he played during the elimination round of the Lakan Season. Given such numbers, it is understandable why the 6’0” athletic guard easily became the third overall pick of the 2019 draft just behind fil-foreign talents Roosevelt Adams and Maurice Shaw.
Mike Ayonayon will join the NLEX Road Warriors who notched the top seed in the last PBA Conference only to be knocked out of the quarterfinals. With NLEX, Mike Ayonayon will definitely have to earn his minutes especially since he will share back court duties witn phenom Kiefer Ravena and the returning Kevin Alas.
Nonetheless, Mike Ayon-ayon is very much ready to play in the pros judging by his performance not only in the MPBL but also in the PBA Developmental League (D-League). In fact, even coach Yeng Guiao is full of praises for the young guard.
“I feel Mike is PBA-ready. He’s long overdue. He should have declared for the draft two years ago.” Guiao said of Ayon-ayon in a recent interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
2. Aris Dionisio
Drafting Aris Dionisio is an easy choice as he has proven that he is a mythical 5 player of the young MPBL. Playing side-by-side with fellow PBA draftee Chris Bitoon, their duo carried the Manila Stars until the North Division Finals of the Datu Cup but they eventually succumbed to the eventual champions San Juan knights led by Mike Ayon-Ayon.
This Lakan season, Aris Dionisio is a crucial piece in Manila’s offensive rotation as he is averaging around 12.8 points enough to keep Manila just a game behind the defending champions San Juan Knights. His athleticism is likewise very useful for Manila since he is able to grab an average of 7.0 rebounds a game. His ability to penetrate also allows him to create opportunities for his teammates thereby giving him 2 assists each outing.
At the other end of the court, Dionisio also plays an important role in holding the fort. His 2.3 blocks a game shows why he is a defensive gem. On top of blocking shots, he steals the ball 1.6 times a game which most of the time ends with easy layups and sometimes with highlight dunks.
Dioniso was picked 9th overall by the Magnolia Hotshots. He will definitely boost Magnolia's front court together with Ian Sangalang and Marc Pingris for the coming 2020 All-Filipino Cup. So if there’s a rookie who you need to watch out for in the coming PBA All-Filipino conference, remember the name Aris Dionisio.
3. Will Mcaloney Jr
His name is perhaps not familiar to basketball fans outside of Cebu but don't sleep on Will Mcaloney. Standing at 6'5, the do-it-all big man has been an imposing presence at the post as he carried most of Cebu Shark's offense sans Patrick Cabahug.
In his second season playing for his hometeam Cebu Sharks, Mcaloney was a double-double machine. On average, he was able to score 16.9 points a game while grabbing 10.4 rebounds and dishing out 1.7 assists. He also played well on defense as he swatted an average of 0.9 shots a game.
Mcaloney will join Mike Ayonayon at the NLEX Road Warrior's camp after he was drafted third in the second round. He will definitely be a big help for JR Quinahan, Asi Taulava and Raul Soyud in the paint.
Can these players succeed in the PBA? It depends. Certainly, there is no assurance that they will all shine in the professional ranks. As rookies, we expect them to play limited minutes off the bench which might be a disappointment for them especially since they are used to being the go-to-guy in their respective MPBL teams.
Their success will definitely depend on how much work they are willing to do. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant didn't become legend overnight. The work ethic of these two legends is extraordinary. Needless to say, their growth will also depend as to how much their coaches trust them. Their talent may eventually go to waste if they are not given any minutes at all.
Be that as it may, these three players will definitely carry the hopes and aspirations of every amateur basketball player who wants to make a name, whether in ligang labas or professional scene. We certainly wish them good luck and we hope to see more talents emerging from the MPBL.
Can these players succeed in the PBA? It depends. Certainly, there is no assurance that they will all shine in the professional ranks. As rookies, we expect them to play limited minutes off the bench which might be a disappointment for them especially since they are used to being the go-to-guy in their respective MPBL teams.
Their success will definitely depend on how much work they are willing to do. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant didn't become legend overnight. The work ethic of these two legends is extraordinary. Needless to say, their growth will also depend as to how much their coaches trust them. Their talent may eventually go to waste if they are not given any minutes at all.
Be that as it may, these three players will definitely carry the hopes and aspirations of every amateur basketball player who wants to make a name, whether in ligang labas or professional scene. We certainly wish them good luck and we hope to see more talents emerging from the MPBL.
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