Shell was the D-Day valedictorian with a haul of seven players - 6-2 Chris Calaguio, 6-9 Frederick Canlas (the tallest player available), 6-1 Rainier Sison, 6-3 Edwin Bacani, 5-11 Rensy Bajar, 6-2 Richard de la Pena, and 6-1 Richard Melencio.
Note that four of coach Perry Ronquillo’s mainstays are in their 30s - Gerry Esplana, 35, Chris Jackson, 35, Jun Marzan, 33, and Benjie Paras, 33. Ronquillo probably looked for future insurance by drafting a slew of young prospects. Calaguio, who plays like Kenneth Duremdes, should fit in nicely as a two-guard. As the fourth overall pick, Calaguio went four slots ahead of the more celebrated RenRen Ritualo.
Talk ‘N Text and FedEx shared salutatorian honors with six picks each. The Phone Pals tapped 6-5 Chris Nicdao, 5-9 Celino Cruz, 6-3 Danny Capobres, 6-3 Francis Sanz (one of two absent draftees), 6-2 Jacques Gottenbos, and 5-11 Paolo Malonzo. FedEx chose 6-8 Yancy de Ocampo, Ritualo, 5-10 John Victorio (a bleached blonde who listed the University of Nevada at Las Vegas as his alma mater but didn’t play for the Runnin’ Rebels - if he did, Talk ‘N Text consultant Bill Bayno would’ve insisted to draft the guard for sure), 6-3 Jerome Barbosa, 5-9 Edrick Ferrer, and 6-0 Francis Aquino (the other absentee, also the draft’s oldest applicant at 30).
FedEx president Lito Alvarez said he’s excited about the prospects of the team. He couldn’t believe Ritualo was still available when FedEx’s second turn came in the first round. He noted that De Ocampo and Ritualo - the most popular amateur cagers for years - bring an instant fan base to the franchise.
FedEx coach Derick Pumaren confirmed that Bong Hawkins is still in the lineup. Jason Webb, whose contract has expired, was not at the FedEx table.
Alaska and San Miguel Beer had only a pick apiece. The Aces picked Miguel Noble of Utica College. After the draft, Alaska coach Tim Cone told Noble to report for practice at 1 p.m. the next day at the Reyes Gym. Why only one draftee? "That’s all we needed," replied Cone.
It was rumored that Talk ‘N Text, Alaska, and Shell were close to finalizing a three-way trade involving Mark Telan, Vic Pablo, and the Aces’ first round pick. But the deal fell through. A source whispered that Alaska has tendered an offer sheet for restricted free agent Telan, whose rights were traded to the Phone Pals.
San Miguel selected La Salle’s Alvin Castro, who has overseas playing experience, in the second round.
Red Bull went for size and coach Yeng Guiao, probably expecting that DaVonn Harp and Mick Pennisi will be named to the national team for the Asian Games, picked 6-6 Homer Se, 6-7 Willie Mejia, and 6-6 Arnel Manalac before settling for 6-1 Kenneth Gumpenberger in the fifth round. The Thunder was the only squad to show up with its import - Julius Nwosu who said his First Conference partner will be Mohammed Acha. Both Nwosu and Acha saw action for Nigeria at the 1998 World Championships in Athens. Acha once played as an import for the Lebanese club Sargesse. A Thunder insider said Acha is trying out for a spot on the team and hasn’t been offered a contract.
Red Bull executive George Balagtas said he expects the Department of Justice (DOJ) clearance for Fil-Ams Francis Navales Rauschmayer and Tom Arceno this week. The papers should’ve been issued before last Thursday’s deadline but a source said DOJ officials were ticked off by certain "facilitators" who were pushing for the release of other Fil-Ams’ documents. As a result, the DOJ sat on all pending papers - killing the chances of Balagtas’ boys, Robert Johnson, Mike Cortez, and several others.
Johnson, whose mother is pure Filipina, will likely play for Cebu in the MBA this season and reapply for the PBA draft next year. Cortez is rumored to be unhappy at the turn of events and may sit out the entire year as a full-time student.
Purefoods picked only guards in the draft - 6-1 Junel Mendiola, 6-2 Dexter Racho, 6-1 William Moody, and 6-0 Eugene Tan. That was because the Hot Dogs had no picks in the first and second rounds. Coach Eric Altamirano would’ve probably preferred a slasher - a convertible two-guard and three-forward. But there were few choices left when Purefoods’ turn came up. Still, Altamirano got a bundle of big men via trades - Kerby Raymundo, Bonel Balingit and Chris Cantonjos - so he can’t be too unhappy.
Barangay Ginebra’s first round pick was Chester Tolomia, an athletic two-guard who’s a scorcher off the dribble. He’ll fill in for Elmer Lago who was shipped to FedEx in the Eric Menk deal. Coach Allan Caidic’s other draftees were 6-4 Gilbert Malabanan and 6-0 Aris Dimaunahan. The Kings shored up in the offseason with the acquisition of Menk and E. J. Feihl.
Sta. Lucia Realty grabbed 6-7 Omanzie Rodriguez in the first round. Coach Norman Black’s other picks were Chito Victolero and Brandon Sison. Rodriguez is Black’s insurance policy at the slot. Now, Dennis Espino and Marlou Aquino can rest easy, knowing that Rodriguez is around to pick up the slack if they get into foul trouble. Rodriguez is a more reliable scorer than backup Richard del Rosario.
Coca-Cola had a super draft. Coach Chot Reyes brought in 6-8 Rafi Reavis, 6-2 Leo Avenido, 6-8 Gilbert Lao, 6-2 Jojo Manalo, and 6-4 Jason Misolas. The Tigers are in a position to rebuild, what with only three live contracts. Rudy Hatfield, Ato Morano, and Estong Ballesteros are the holdovers. Reyes is expected to rehire Johnny Abarrientos, Poch Juinio and Will Antonio. Gone are Jojo Lastimosa, back to Alaska, and Nelson Asaytono.
All told, it was a meaningful draft. A lot of the players should be able to make an immediate impact this season. But that’s not the end of the story. Expect trades, involving draftees, in the coming weeks leading up to the First Conference opening on Feb. 10.