Guiao eyes Al-Hussaini, Baclao top draft picks

MANILA, Philippines - Air21 coach Yeng Guiao said they will get Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Noy Baclao and most likely another big man in exercising their rights on the first three picks in the 2010 PBA Rookie Draft set Sunday at the Market! Market! Place in Taguig.

Guiao said there’s no question this early that Al-Hussaini and Baclao, backbones of the Ateneo champion teams in 2008 and 2009, will be the first two picks.

The third pick, also according to Guiao, will depend on the next transactions of the team management.

“I understand (former Air21 team manager) Mr. Lito Alvarez has commitments that we have to honor. I don’t know the situations of Billy Mamaril and Renren Ritualo. I think they’re going somewhere,” said Guiao.

“We’ve lost Doug Kramer. If we also lose Mamaril, then we may need another big man to go with Al-Hussaini and Baclao,” Guiao also said.

“I’m looking for a big forward who is quick. Rabeh and Carlo Sharma are not that quick. I need a guy who can quicken up our frontline,” Guiao added.

The fiery Air21 mentor said he’s happy with his backcourt rotation of Wynne Arboleda, Marcy Arellano and Josh Urbiztondo.

The Express acquired Arellano in exchange for Kramer and got Urbiztondo as conduit in the Meralco-Talk n Text trade involving Macmac Cardona.

Guiao said he would have been happy also with a frontcourt made up of Sharma, Kramer, Mamaril, Beau Belga, Al-Hussaini and Baclao.

But the Express have given away Kramer and Belga, leaving Guiao with Sharma and JR Quinahan at his disposal.

“I’m unsure of the situation right now. Things will clear up after the draft,” said Guiao.

Reports said Ritualo is going to Meralco while Mamaril is rejoining the SMC group.

Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio, however, texted The STAR that “(Ritualo) is not in my radar yet.”

The Express, giving away key players after the 2008-09 campaign including Arwind Santos, played poorly in the 2009-2010 wars, finishing ninth in the Philippine Cup and eighth in the Fiesta Conference.