Hayes, Ciriacruz to PBA draft

MANILA, Philippines - Two of the best players in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will join the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft scheduled Aug. 29.

Player-agent Alven Torres has confirmed 6-foot-3 Jose Rizal University’s workhorse Marvin Hayes and Arellano University’s 6-foot-3 scoring forward Gio Ciriacruz have already submitted their respective application to the PBA offices.

“Marvin and Gio are very hardworking, driven and dedicated young talented players who can become an asset to any team,” said Torres, who handles seven players in the amateur and professional ranks.

His players are rookie Mike Burtscher of Alaska, formerly Sta. Lucia Realtors Chito Jaime, rising amateur standouts Chris Camus of University of Santo Tomas, Adrian Celada of Arellano University and Mike Galinato of Adamson University.   

“Most of my players including Hayes and Ciriacruz are attending one-on-one skill training and plyometrics under conditioning coach John Aquino to keep them in top shape,” said Torres.

Hayes averaged 10 points and 8.4 rebounds in the NCAA last year, while Ciriacruz averaged 19.2 points per game also last year in the same league.

Meanwhile, John Marion Wilson scored 22 points to lead the Yellow Team past the Red Team, 76-60, yesterday in Day Two the PBA Rookie Camp at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The 6-foot-3 guard, who steered Jose Rizal University to the NCAA Final Four last year and eventually became its MVP, also cornered seven rebounds in an impressive performance that overshadowed the efforts of Claifford Arao, who topscored for the Red Team with 10 points.

The 6-foot-4 Arao is reportedly high on the list of coach Caloy Garcia of Rain or Shine which will pick at No.5 in the PBA Annual Draft set on Aug. 29 at the Market! Market Place in Taguig City.