Top amateurs beat draft deadline

Prized big men from the amateur league–Ranidel de Ocampo, Jean Marc Pingris and Ervin Sotto–beat the deadline for the Philippine Basketball Association rookie draft set Jan. 16 next year and virtually set the theme for the first round picks among the 10 ballclubs in the pro league.

De Ocampo, Pingris and Sotto, all standing not lower than 6’5", thus joined a bumper crop of promising amateur talents that included James Yap, Rich Alvarez, Wesley Gonzales, Paul Artadi and Gary David.

"I’m pleasantly surprised with the turnout of the draftees not because of the number but the quality of applicants impressed me more," said PBA commissioner Noli Eala. "It is definitely going to be an interesting draft."

The 6’5" De Ocampo, a member of the national cage team which won the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games gold medal, is expected to be picked first by Shell and follow the footsteps of elder brother Yancy of Fedex, the top pick two years back.

Pingris, a 6’5" power forward who is best known for wrecking a basketball ring in a PBL slam dunk competition at the Makati Coliseum a year back, and the 6’6" Sotto, De Ocampo’s teammate at St. Francis of Assisi College, could also command a big pay with their height and athleticism.

The three were the last big names among 40 who applied for the annual drafting rites to be staged at the Glorietta Mall in Makati.

Other juicy prospects who made the list were Willy Wilson, Fil-Australian Joaquim Thoss, Nelbert Omolon, Warren Ybanez, Lou Gatumbato, Eric dela Cuesta, Tristan Codamon, Carlos Sharma, Manny Ramos, Cesar Catli, Rhagnee Sinco and Mac Cuan.

Also in the draft were Richard Peter Michael, Arvin Garcia, Arnold Booker, Jay-Arr Estrada, Bernzon Franco, Maui Huelar, Theodore Hawkins Jr., Alvin Pua, Lyndon Lagat, Nino Marquez, Kim Valenzuela, Francis Arabit, Chris Quimpo, Ricky Ricafuente, Denver Lopez Jr., Joel Lagare, Mario Reyes, Christopher Guerrero, Joselito Celiz, Steve Marucot, Nicolas Fasano, John Flores and Julius Binuya.

After Shell, next to pick are Purefoods, FedEx (originally from Barangay Ginebra before the Eric Menk trade), FedEx, Alaska Milk, Red Bull Barako, San Miguel Beer, Sta. Lucia Realty, Talk N’ Text and Coca-Cola.

Eala said the list could be trimmed down as aspirants will be required to strut their wares in the traditional Rookie Camp on Jan. 11 at the Quezon Memorial Circle. Grandslam coach and TV anchor Norman Black will handle the affair.