56 amateurs join PBA annual draft

Sta. Lucia Realty has a huge quantity and deep quality of draft pool to choose from as it exercises its rights for the No. 1 pick overall in the 2006 PBA Rookie Draft tentatively set Aug. 20 at the Market! Market! in Taguig.

A total of 56 players beat Friday’s deadline for submission of application for the draft and, at this point, there seems to be no consensus favorite yet on who would become the top pick.

That’s because the list has everything to offer to the Realtors — from prized Fil-Am big men to prolific homegrown talents in all playing positions.

The best and the finest of the country’s premier collegiate leagues head the list with reigning UAAP MVP Arwind Santos of FEU and NCAA counterpart Jay Sagad of St. Benilde among those who made themselves available for the draft.

Also in the list are 2004 NCAA MVP winner Gabby Espinas, UAAP stars LA Tenorio, Magnum Membrere, Joseph Yeo, Mark Isip, Junjun Cabatu, Christian Luanzon and RJ Rizada and other NCAA top guns Robert Sanz, Boyet Bautista, Mark Andaya, John Paul Alcaraz, Jonathan Aldave, Aaron Aban, Frederick Feliciano, Jerome Paterno and Erwin Sta. Maria.

Fil-Am hotshots Rob Reyes, Joe DeVance and Kelly Williams also managed to beat the deadline for submission of draft requirements. Their papers, however, will be heavily scrutinized before they are declared eligible.

Other notable players in the roster are PBL veterans Mark Magsumbol, Chico Lanete, Al Vergara, Dennis Daa, JayR Reyes, Donald Dulay and Ronjay Enrile.

Completing the list are Glenn Perseveranda of Solano College, Orvie Vidad of Newvic College, Ralph Ibanes, Oliver Gavino and Abraham Santos of UP, Ariel de Castro and Alfie Grijaldo of NU, Ryan Cristobal, Ronnie Bughao and Paul Reguera of San Beda, Philp Butel and Ollan Omiping of UE, Chris Pacana of St. Francis, Richard Alonzo of Adamson, Denver Roque and Nicole Marasigan of San Sebastian, Nilo Sta. Cruz of Letran, Manuel Caceres of PSBA, Bob Ilanga of University of Mindanao, Erian Daja of WNC, Marlon Kalaw of MLQU, Alexander Sibug of Dominican College, Christian Arellano of College of Dupage and Christopher Apaitan of Mindanao State University.

Sta. Lucia coach Alfrancis Chua said they’re still studying what kind of player they need the most at this point in time.

Cabatu, Enrile and Reyes are likely to be struck out of the list as they could be the three amateur players Welcoat Paints will automatically elevate to the pro ranks upon its PBA entry this coming season.

While Sta. Lucia owns the first pick, Air21 has the rights for the second and fourth picks and San Miguel the third and fifth picks.

Air21 made Anthony Washington the first pick last year but the Express immediately traded the 6-foot-7 Fil-Am behemoth to Talk n Text. Washington didn’t see much action though due to injuries.