WORDS BY B.A. BORLEO
ILLUSTRATION: FRANTZ ARNO SALVADOR
August 1, 2009 | 7800 views
Peter June Simon
Year drafted: 2001 (Round 5, 43rd overall, Sta. Lucia)
Awards: All-Star Game MVP (2008), Mr. Quality Minutes (2008), dubbed as the "Super Sub"
Simon toiled first in the now-defuncy Metropolitan Basketball Association and the Philippine Basketball LEague before being remarkable snubbed in the 2001 PBA Rookie Draft. Playing behind superstar James Yap, SImon would later adjust to his role and show everyone why he belonged in the league, becoming one of his team's offensive weapons. His 29-point explosion at the 2008 All-Star game, which earned him MVP honors, further proved his point.
Cyrus Baguio
Year drafted: 2003 (Round 2, 14th overall, Red Bull)
Awards: Most Improved Player (2008), Mythical Second Team (2008)
Seeing Baguio languishing in the second round was one of the most shocking things about the 2003 PBA Draft. Teams seemed unimpressed of his high-wire plays, which had endeared him to thousands of UST Growling Tigers gans during his UAAP years. It looked unwise, too, to tag him a first-rounder when standouts like Rommel Adducal and Mike Cortez were available for teh picking. But Red Bull dared-and the gamble paid off. There was once a time when ex-Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao's offense revolved around this underrated swingman. Now his antics take flight only to please the Ginebra faithful. Watch him fly for them!
Jimmy Alapag
Year drafted: 2003 (Round 1, 10th overall, Talk N' Text)
Awards: Rookie of the Year, Two-time Mythical First team, All-Star Game MVP (2004)
News of the 5'9" Alapag's remarkable ability to play about the rim began circulating when he had almost been named to the all-Pro Philippine team that competed in the 2002 Asian Games-as an amateur! So it came as a big surprise when he wasn't among the following year's top five picks. STill the diminutive guard showcased his abilities and earned the year's top rookie honors. Years of subsequent stellar play have cemented his status as not only the PBA's premier point guard, but one of Asia's best.
To view Part 1 of the story, click here
