Ginebra 'Protect 12’ picks

BARANGAY GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL

Greg Slaughter
Mark Caguioa
LA Tenorio
Japeth Aguilar
Chris Ellis
Mac Baracael
Jayjay Helterbrand
Jay-R Reyes
Emman Monfort
Dylan Ababou
James Forrester
Billy Mamaril

Why the 12?

Keeping this 12 might actually not mean anything, if Ginebra starts trading players away in the break between conferences. But given this current roster, protecting players 1 to 9 is an obvious move. Keeping the superstar core of Slaughter, Caguioa, Tenorio and Aguilar should help with the continuity of the team. Protecting key contributors in Ellis, Baracael, Helterbrand is just as important.

Keeping this stacked team together should be the priority of Ginebra management. Letting any of their rotation players go to the expansion draft might mess with this team’s chemistry even further.

Toughest omission: Josh Urboiztondo

Urbiztondo was a tough omission because of everything he’s accomplished. He’s been the starting PG for a championship team, the leading scorer for Barako and late addition to a Ginebra team that surged all the way to the Finals of the Comissioner’s Cup last year. But in this current Ginebra line-up, he just doesn’t fit. Monfort brings the same defense Urbiztondo brings but with better playmaking and less wild threes. Ababou is a much more versatile player. Forrester is a project that fits the Ginebra mold for swingmen. Mamaril is a much-needed Slaughter insurance that the team can’t give up yet.

Given all of Urbiztondo’s accomplishments, he should be one of the first picks in the upcoming expansion draft. His leadership, offense and streakiness is something any new PBA team can use.