Why risk if you can get it outright?
In the guard heavy draft, Phoenix were initially looking for a big man (Abu Tratter) or a floor general in the guard heavy draft class.
According to Alas, he got what they were targeting and even more.
“Naghahanap din naman ako ng point guard sa pick. Ito available ngayon, so why not?
“Kasama si Dave Marcelo. Pakundisyon lang si Dave. Ba’t ka pa maghihintay kung ‘di mo aabutan yun? Hindi natin alam kung sino ang kukunin ng first to third pick. Ito nandiyan na sa harap ko,” Alas said during the combine.
Mallari is a 6-foot-4 combo guard who has won four championships in his six-year career as a pro. Marcelo, on the other hand, stands at 6-foot-5 and has proven himself to be a winner both in the pros and the collegiate ranks.
And this winning mentality is what Alas thinks the doctor ordered for Phoenix, a team looking to win their first-ever championship.
“Almost the same, beterano lang ito. Mallari is a winner, Dave Marcelo is a winner,” Alas said.
“Sino ba ang hinahanap namin? Yung mga winner.”
Phoenix still own the 12th overall pick via their trade with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel early this year.
