ALLAN THE MAN

San Mig Coffee, the recently-crowned champion of the Governors’ Cup, got even stronger with the addition of Ian Sangalang in Sunday’s PBA draft.

The selection of the former San Sebastian center came as no surprise as Mixers coach Tim Cone has repeatedly gushed about Sangalang’s potential over this past week.

“Sangalang is a great two-way player. He can play both sides of the floor. He’s gonna fit our triangle and the way we’ve been going in and out, playing the perimeter. He’s gonna help us,” said Cone.

Despite being only 22 years old, Sangalang is perhaps the most decorated player in the draft. He has won Most Valuable Player honors in both the NCAA and the PBA D-League; he has won championships with his teams in both leagues as well.

In any other draft, Sangalang would have been a cinch to be a top overall selection. He plays both frontcourt positions, runs the floor well, and has a nice outside shot. Despite his finesse skills, he’s not afraid of mixing it up against bigger men down low.

For the second straight year, a player from San Sebastian is the second overall pick in the draft. Last season, the Alaska Aces made Sangalang’s former college teammate and fellow Pampanga native Calvin Abueva the No. 2 overall selection. Abueva ended up leading the Aces to the Commissioner’s Cup title before winning Rookie of the Year honors.

San Mig Coffee is hoping to find similar success with Sangalang, who will join an already imposing frontline that includes Marc Pingris, Joe Devance, Rafi Reavis, and Yancy De Ocampo.

Sangalang is the Purefoods’ franchise’s highest overall selection since the team drafted James Yap with the No. 2 pick in 2004. Yap ended up becoming the face of the franchise, winning two PBA MVP trophies while helping the squad win four titles.

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