Rookie camp unfolds today

MANILA, Philippines - Rising amateur stars and top collegiate players from all over the country get the chance to show their stuff today when the Philippine Basketball League and Liga Pilipinas conduct a rookie camp for their first-ever basketball venture next month.

PBL executive director Butch Maniego said members of the Smart-Gilas RP team coaching staff will supervise the two-hour camp at the Meralco gym in Pasig City.

Interested participants are advised to come early at the gym for further instructions. The camp starts at 8 p.m.

After the rookie camp, both the PBL and Liga Pilipinas will hold their Rookie Draft on Saturday in time for the opening of their joint project on June 5.

Expected to join the tournament are PBL giants Magnolia and Pharex while Liga Pilipinas will be bannered by perennial champion Cebu, Laguna, Taguig and GenSan.

Maniego said PBL and Liga officials are confident the number of teams will swell on the drafting day since they are close to convincing some team owners to take part in the tournament.