PBA: Cariaso has chance to snag ‘game changer’ Barefield at No. 2

Sedrick Barefield. EASL PHOTO

Sedrick Barefield’s absence in the recent Combine may only add more intrigue and curiosity over his status as one of the potential top picks in the PBA Rookie Draft.

Barefield is expected to be present in Sunday’s proceedings at Glorietta in Makati City, with many anticipating that, if Converge decides to take a different direction, it will go for the globe-trotting 27-year-old.

However, if Converge does go with Justine Baltazar as expected, Blackwater will have its chance at tabbing the 6-foot-2 guard, who is among the players coach Jeffrey Cariaso admitted has long been on his wish list.

“The reason Sedrick is intriguing is because we feel he’s a game changer,” Cariaso told the Inquirer. “He’s exactly what we need given our current lineup. I’ve been hearing great things about his work ethic and attitude also.”

Young journeyman

The PBA has long been Barefield’s target. He spent time in the NBA G League and Europe before moving closer to the Philippines with recent stints in Asia.

Barefield played briefly for the Bay Area Dragons in the 2023 East Asia Super League (EASL) Champions Week, while his last professional tour of duty was with the Taipei Fubon Braves of Taiwan’s P. League+.

Taipei also competed in the EASL’s first season under a home-and-away format, and split two games with TNT, which had a close-hand look at Barefield.

Barefield came up with 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting on top of five rebounds and seven assists when the Braves defeated the Tropang Giga, 106-97, in their first meeting in mid-November in Taipei.

TNT avenged that loss to Fubon and prevailed, 80-69, a month later in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, despite Barefield’s 15 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals.

“He’s a very skilled guard who can shoot and drive, and a very good defender too,” a person from the TNT camp said when asked of his impression of Barefield.

Barefield will still be among the players who can be selected for the draft despite his absence from the Combine, since league officials accepted his excuse to skip the mandatory activity.