Chargers make Alvarez No. 1 draft pick

Shell opted to pick Ateneo forward Rich Alvarez No. 1 overall in the PBA Rookie Draft at the Glorietta in Makati last night following a last day deal for a big man from another team.

As in last year’s draft, Shell struck a three-way trade transaction hours before the event with sister teams Purefoods and San Miguel Beer, bringing in big man Billy Mamaril.

The Turbochargers first acquired the Beermen’s No. 7 pick in the draft in exchange for pointguard Dale Singson. The Pilipinas Shell franchise then dealt the pick plus forward Eddie Laure to Purefoods for Mamaril.

Solving its problem at the center slot but creating a vacuum at the forward spot, Shell exercised its rights on the No. 1 pick on Alvarez over other top draftees Ranidel de Ocampo, Joachim Thoss, Jean Marc Pingris and Ervin Sotto.

As part of the trade deal, Shell passed up on James Yap, allowing Purefoods to enlist the King Warrior of the University of the East at No. 2.

"This is dream come true not only for me but my family," said Alvarez, the second Ateneo player picked No. 1 overall in the annual PBA draft after Alex Araneta in 1991.

"I feel so fortunate, so lucky and so blessed. My hardships reaped big dividends as I won championships in the UAAP and the PBL, became a part of the national team that won the Vietnam SEA Games and now being picked No. 1 overall here," said the 23-year-old two-time UAAP MVP awardee.

Shell top official Bobby Kanapi said Alvarez would play a vital role as the Turbochargers seek to make a turnaround from poor showings the last few years.

"Happy ako dahil sa Purefoods ko talaga gustong mapunta," said Yap for his part.

Several other negotiations involving draft rights were made but only the Shell-Purefoods-San Miguel deal materialized. John Arigo’s name was mentioned in a number of trade talks.

Pingris, De Ocampo and Thoss, as expected, made it to the Magic Five. Pingris (No. 3) and De Ocampo (No. 4) went to FedEx and Thoss (No. 5) to Alaska Milk.

The second half of the first round saw Fil-Am guard Denver Lopez (No. 6) going to Red Bull, Ervin Sotto (No. 7) to Purefoods, Mark Omolon (No. 8) to Sta. Lucia Realty, Wesley Gonzales (No. 9) to FedEx and Gary David (No. 10) to Coca-Cola.

Paul Artadi joined UE teammate Yap at Purefoods as the 5-foot-9 guard was picked No. 1 in the second round and No. 11 overall by the Hotdogs.