Gin Kings keen on ex-MBA king

If Mike Cortez is sure to be going to Alaska Milk, Romel Adducul is certain to be landing at Barangay Ginebra, reuniting with collegiate buddy Banjo Calpito and teaming up with Eric Menk and Jun Limpot for an awesome frontcourt for the Kings.

A reliable source said the Ginebra management and coaching staff have agreed to pick the 6-foot-6 former MBA main attraction in the PBA Rookie Draft set Jan. 12.

Ginebra coach Allan Caidic said they’re studying their options and making some research on the Fil-foreign draft applicants but hinted at using their rights on the No. 2 pick overall on the former king San Sebastian Stag in the NCAA.

Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo has said they will make Cortez the No. 1 pick overall in a bid to fill their need for a legitimate pointguard in their lineup.

Shell is No. 3 on the draft order, and may pick either slotman Enrico Villanueva or forward Eddie Laure. The Turbochargers have a big hole in the middle minus reliable big men.

Purefoods had originally been looking at Cortez but may settle for whoever Shell leaves out between Villanueva or Laure.

After Alaska, Ginebra, Shell and Purefoods, next on the draft order is Sta. Lucia Realty, then Talk N Text, Red Bull, San Miguel Beer, Coca-Cola and Alaska Milk.

Most of the coaches say they will still do some research first before deciding whom to pick on draft day. Coaches will have a glimpse of the draftees as the PBA holds a rookie camp on Jan. 10 in Megamall. A makeshift basketball court will be put up in the venue.

"Jan. 10 is so close to the draft day, I’d rather do the research now. With the PBL players, and there’s a lot of them, you can go down to the games or just watch on TV. But the guys I can’t see is what I’m worried about. I’ll rank the players I know of and do research on guys I don’t," said Sta. Lucia coach Norman Black.

A total of 67 players, including 22 Fil-foreign cagers, have applied for the draft. A big number may make it to the pros with 65 veteran PBA players having their contracts expiring on Dec. 31.

The players whose contracts expire at the end of the year are Coca-Cola’s Jovy Sese, Rafi Reavies, Ato Morano, Jason Misolas, Jeffrey Cariaso, Chris Bolado and Estong Ballesteros, San Miguel’s Dorian Pena, Ronnie Padilla, Mike Mustre, Dwight Lago, Bryan Gahol, Art dela Cruz, Alvin Castro and Ronald Carmona, Ginebra’s Boy Valera, Mark Piodo, Wilmer Ong, Ronald Magtulis, Elmer Lago, Jayjay Helterbrand, Bal David and Banjo Calpito;

Purefoods’ Bonel Balingit, Jolly Escobar, Paul Guerrero, Roger Yap, Junel Mendiola, Mark Victoria, Boyet Fernandez, Ronnie Magsanoc and Richard Yee, Alaska’s Richie Ticzon, Alvin Teng, Rodney Santos, Jon Ordonio, Jojo Lastimosa and Rob Duat, Red Bull’s Anton Villoria, Junthy Valenzuela, Edmund Reyes, Jay Mendoza, Noli Locsin and Nelson Asaytono;

Shell’s Rob Wainwright, Art del Rosario, Jojo Lim, Antonio dela Cruz and Rensy Bajar, Sta. Lucia’s Mike Orquillas, Richard del Rosario, Paolo Mendoza, Noynoy Falcasantos and Jherome Ejercito, Talk N Text’s Kenny Evans, Gabby Cui, Jercules Tangkay, Alex Crisano and Bong Alvarez and FedEx’s Biboy Simon, Zaldy Realubit, Dindo Pumaren and David Friedhof.

This year’s draft pool is seen as the biggest in terms of quality in the last three years.

Other notable names in the list are centers John Ferriols, Billy Mamaril and Rysal Castro, forwards Bruce Dacia, Ralph Rivera, Reynel Hugnatan, Jenkins Mesina, Sunday Salvacion, Marlon Legaspi and Cid White, and guards Stephen Padilla, Jimmy Alapag, Jec Chia, Ronald Tubid, Egay Echavez, Cyrus Baguio and Rob Johnson.

Completing the list are Kalani Ferreira, Sanley de Castro, Abraham Pagtama, Mark Caguco, Joseph Lee Dominguez, Aldrich Reyes, Carlos Sayon, Michael Tablan, Francis Rauschmayer, Tom Arceno, Richard Hardine, William Villa, Nani Epondulan, Ariel Capus, Harvey Carey, Leodito Yanogacio, Dennis Morante, Mike Bravo, Luis Salvador Jr., Christian Gavina, Rendell dela Rea, Boy Margate, Oliver Machica, Raymund Sotto, Ed Pimentel, Brandon Cablay, Clarence Cole, Melvin Taguines, Rodel Medina, Dustin Coloso, Leo Bat-og, Jeff Sanders, Arnold Calo, Ramil Ferma, Jerry Jaca, Jose Villar, Richmond delos Santos, Chris Guinto, Michael Peteros, Adonis Sta. Maria, Chris Corbin, Vincent San Diego, Eugene Tejada, and Khomar Khansroff.

Incoming PBA commissioner Noli Eala said the draft exercise will be fan-friendly, meaning there will lots of inter-action among players and the fans.

The PBA 2003 season opens Feb. 16 with the All-Filipino Cup. The league board and the Commissioner’s Office have yet to finalize the tournament format, though.