Many variables come into play with drafts, but sometimes, fortune favors the patient ones. In the PBA Season 50 Draft, it may be Jason Brickman and the Meralco Bolts.
Age was the biggest reason for Brickman’s draft-day slide, and he may have been the top overall selection in this year’s draft if he were five years younger. But none of that matters now, as the veteran point guard ended up in the best spot possible.
The Bolts are a beacon of consistency in the PBA, having last missed the postseason back in the 2022-2023 Honda PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Meralco has built their roster organically and without much controversy compared to sister teams the TNT Tropang 5G and the NLEX Road Warriors. The results speak for themselves as they not only won the 2024 Honda PBA Philippine Cup over the vaunted San Miguel Beermen, but they are also the only PBA team to have won in the East Asia Super League.
Adding Brickman to their roster will only do wonders to the Bolts’ championship aspirations. At a time when guards of all shapes and sizes are score-first, it’s the two-time NCAA Division I assists leader who stands out because of his ability to put the team’s needs ahead of his. The likes of Chris Newsome, Chris Banchero, Aaron Black, and CJ Cansino can defer to him when it comes to playmaking as they now become his targets on offense.
The 33-year old has refined his craft through stints in Russia, Germany, and in various parts of the ASEAN region. Meralco takes the EASL more seriously than the other PBA representatives so it’s safe to say that adding Brickman also gives them someone who has experience in handling international basketball and playing against teams with multiple imports.
As experienced as he is, Brickman could encounter an adjustment phase where he will have to get used to the style of play in the PBA. His experiences with San Miguel Alab Pilipinas, Strong Group Athletics, and the MPBL’s Abra Solid North Weavers gave him a taste of local basketball, but the PBA is still the top flight pro league in the country, issues notwithstanding. We can expect some good games and not so good ones, but Brickman will be fine once he gets comfortable in the PBA.
That being said, there’s no better situation for Jason Brickman to begin his PBA career than with the Meralco Bolts. Brickman is looking for a spot where he can become the lead playmaker, while the Bolts are looking for someone who can not only contribute immediately, but can also help fill a need (aside from frontcourt depth). It’s a match made in basketball heaven, and here’s to hoping it’s a lasting relationship.
