Shell to pick ‘mystery man?’

Who is Brandon Lee Kaui Cablay?

In Friday’s Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) pre-draft camp, the six-foot Cablay didn’t see action. He was spotted watching coach John Moran conduct the five-hour session beside consensus top pick Mike Cortez at a far corner of the SM Megamall parking lot.

But the buzz along coaches’ row was Cablay, 24, could be the draft’s sleeper–the unheralded "mystery man" who might just turn out to be the player to make the most impact as a rookie.

Cablay was born in Kealakekua, Hawaii, to full-blooded Filipino parents. His father Terrence and mother Pamela Tabil were both born in Hawaii. Cablay beat the deadline last Jan. 6 to submit his Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmation of Filipino citizenship.

Cablay played four years as a guard at Konawaena High School then moved to Sta. Rosa Junior College and Vanguard University where he starred in the backcourt. The resume he submitted to the PBA did not list any playing experience in commercial leagues.

But Shell coach Perry Ronquillo said he’s seen tapes of Cablay playing and he’s seriously thinking of tapping the "mystery man" as the third pick overall.

In today’s draft, the order of selection in the first round is: Alaska (from FedEx in the Bong Hawkins trade), Barangay Ginebra, Shell, Talk ‘N’ Text (from Purefoods in the Gilbert Demape trade), Sta. Lucia Realty, Purefoods (from Talk ‘N’ Text in the Demape trade), Red Bull, San Miguel Beer, Coca-Cola, and Alaska.

The order in the second round is: Barangay Ginebra (by virtue of losing the first overall pick to FedEx in the lottery), FedEx, Shell, Red Bull (from Purefoods in the Kerby Raymundo trade), Sta. Lucia Realty, Shell (from Talk ‘N’ Text in the Mark Telan trade), Red Bull, San Miguel Beer, Red Bull (from Coca-Cola in the Cris Bolado trade), and Alaska.

Ronquillo described Cablay as a Mark Caguioa type–athletic, exciting and explosive.

"From the start, we’ve been thinking of picking either Eddie Laure or Rico Villanueva, considering Alaska will choose Cortez and Ginebra, Romel (Adducul) ahead of us," said Ronquillo. "But now, we’re considering Cablay. He could be the surprise of the draft. Even (Sta. Lucia coach) Al Chua was talking about him."

Two years ago, Ronquillo chose unknown Mike Hrabak–sight unseen–in the first round of the draft. Shell had the second overall pick so Ronquillo took a big risk in tapping the mystery man from Central Arizona. Ronquillo hasn’t regretted his decision. Hrabak was just inked to a three-year contract extension.

Will it be another mystery man for Ronquillo?

"I expect a lot of surprises in the draft," said Ronquillo. "What if Alaska picks Cablay? Maybe, Ginebra will end up choosing Cortez. And for our third pick, we could pick Romel. Who knows? We’ll just see who’s available by the time we draft."

Ronquillo confirmed that in the offseason, he cleaned up the Turbo Chargers’ roster to make way for fresh blood. Veteran Gerry Esplana has been released despite two years left in his contract. Ronquillo said management is negotiating with Esplana on how to settle the balance of his contract. It’s possible, he noted, that Esplana will continue to receive a monthly salary until the expiration of his contract. Another veteran Jojo Lim was also released.

As for Benjie Paras, Ronquillo said the "Tower of Power" is eager to play but it’s not certain if he’s 100 percent. Paras’ contract hasn’t expired. "We’ll see," said Ronquillo.

Two players whose contracts expired last Dec. 31 and are in limbo are Rob Wainwright and Art del Rosario. Ronquillo said their fate will depend on whom Shell drafts today.

Sources said Wainwright has been offered a renewal but at half of his previous monthly salary of P300,000. His contract is still up in the air.

Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo said players with big contracts are feeling the pressure of the league’s new salary caps–P34 Million yearly for the team and P350,000 monthly for a player. The previous team cap was P36.3 Million. It will be reduced to P32 Million next year and finally, to P30 Million in 2005. The previous player cap was P500,000 a month.

Players whose contracts stipulating a monthly salary of P500,000 have expired will be allowed a 20 percent cut to drop to P400,000. But players whose salaries are over P350,000 but less than P500,000 will be subjected to the cap of P350,000.

Trillo noted that Alaska mainstay Rodney Santos’ fate is in the balance because of his high salary. Santos’ contract has expired.

"We’re trying to fit Rodney’s salary into the new cap," said Trillo. "But because of his high salary, we’re finding it difficult. We’ll see how we do in the draft. We’re exploring options on how to settle with Rodney."

Trillo said veteran E. J. Feihl has signed a three-year extension and Rob Duat came to terms on a two-year renewal yesterday. He said a spot has been reserved for Jon Ordonio and the guard from The Master’s College is as good as signed. Other veterans with expired contracts are Jojo Lastimosa, Eric Reyes, Alvin Teng and Richie Ticzon.

"We’re looking to bring in Jojo in our coaching staff," said Trillo. "We expect Eric, Alvin and Richie to try out for spots when we start practice."

Trillo said Alaska will pick Cortez in the first round. He added that Talk ‘N’ Text has offered Don Camaso in a trade for the Aces’ first and second round picks but nothing has been sealed.