Talk N Text wants Dillinger, No. 3 pick; Siot undecided

 With Welcoat and Talk n Text having decided to make Gabe Norwood and Jared Dillinger the 1-2 picks, what Magnolia is going to do with the No. 3 pick is the biggest surprise in the 2008 PBA Rookie Draft set at Market! Market! Place in Taguig this afternoon.

Failing to get a deal with Welcoat for the top pick, Talk n Text is now reportedly after Magnolia’s No. 3 choice using Jay Washington as trade bait.

Admitting there are probable trades, Magnolia coach Siot Tanquingcen said they will probably decide on their options right on the floor during the draft exercise starting at 3 p.m.

Tanquingcen said their choice is down to three among Solomon Mercado, Jason Castro and Rob Reyes in the absence of a trade.

“We’re still undecided but we might go for talent than height. Actually, we need a big man but what the draft roster offers is a deep pool of talented guards,” said Tanquingcen.

Talk n Text also owns the fourth pick. If they’re not able to get Magnolia’s third pick, the Phone Pals are likely to settle on who’s left between Mercado and Reyes at No. 4.

Alaska is at No. 5, then Air21, Purefoods, Magnolia, Red Bull and Sta. Lucia Realty to close out the first round.

University of the East’s Mark Borboran and Bonbon Custodio, La Salle’s TY Tang, and PCU’s Beau Belga are the top prospects after Norwood, Dillinger, Mercado, Castro and Reyes.

PBA coaches believe Norwood, Dillinger, Mercado, Castro, Reyes and Borboran would be the first six choices.

Other noted talents are Jeff Chan, Jonathan Fernandez, Kelvin Gregorio, Cholo Villanueva, NCAA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kelvin dela Peña, Kelvin Delafu, Pong Escobal, Larry Rodriguez, Patrick Cabahug, Christian Espiritu, and Lawrence Bonus.

Completing the 45-man list are Ryan Regalado, Mark Anthony Cuevas, Andrew Catigan, Diomar Facum, Michael Dizon, Ismael Junio, Christian Reyes, Angelus Raymundo, Eian Yu, Dennis Concha, Frankly Nailon, Michael Gonzales, Mark Yee, Rene Cunanan, Eder Saldua, Nestor David, Earn Saguindel, Nizar Kiram, Ferdinand Melocoton, Juan Luis Abad, Christian Cabatu, Nathaniel Cruz, Lei Mar Navarro, Jan Coching, Michael Olino, Chito Jaime and Ricky Natividad.

The draft is limited to two rounds. The draft order in the second round is Talk n Text at No. 1 then Rain or Shine, Air21, Sta. Lucia Realty, Alaska, Purefoods, Red Bull from 7-9 then Sta. Lucia Realty.

Norwood, a George Mason U stalwart, is reportedly planing in this morning from the US to attend the draft.

Rain or Shine co-owners Raymund Yu and Terry Que have said they’re definitely exercising their right on the No. 1 pick on Norwood.

The 2008 draft  will be aired over RPN9.     – Nelson Beltran