Paolo becomes Realtors' property

He may be the shortest player ever to have been picked first overall in the PBA draft, but Paolo Mendoza isn't short in talent and Sta. Lucia hopes to harness this to full potential in a bid to make a serious run at an elusive PBA title.

Sta. Lucia team manager Buddy Encarnado said the six-foot Mendoza now awaits a juicy three-year contract as the ballclub made the former UP hotshot the first pick overall in this year's PBA Amateur Draft held at Glorietta in Makati yesterday.

Although Encarnado believed that Ana Water Dispenser ace in the PBL could be a vital cog in the Realtors' bid in the season, newly appointed mentor Norman Black said Mendoza's role in the team would hinge on how he would fit in Sta. Lucia's scheme of things.

"He's been playing very well in the PBL and I just hope he can do the same in the PBA. His playing time and his playing position will depend on what he does in practice," said Black. The 21-year-old Mendoza is joining a Sta. Lucia team whose campaign will likely revolve around Marlou Aquino.

Twenty-two of the 26 hopefuls were picked in the draft, which turned virtually topsy-turvy following reports that promising slotman Allan Gamboa has signed up with the Iloilo Megavoltz in the MBA.

PBA commissioner Jun Bernardino said they will discuss Gamboa's case after the player failed to withdraw his draft application in the PBA. Pop Cola, which had been eyeing the services of the 6-foot-6 behemoth, opted to use its rights for the No. 2 pick on Chowking power forward Marc Steven Victoria. Nevertheless, Pop Cola officials drafted Gamboa in the second round so they could gain the rights on him if he decides to play in the PBA in the future.

Purefoods picked Dino Aldeguer third overall even as it made bigger news earlier by deciding to match Barangay Ginebra's P9.3 million offer sheet to EJ Feihl.

Mobiline opted for Erwin Velez then Red Bull enlisted Ogie Gumatay, Ginebra recruited Ernesto Billones, San Miguel went for Rolando Carmona, Alaska picked Glen Peter Yap and Patrick Madarang and Sta. Lucia took Randy Lopez to close out the first round. -