Three-day PBA rookie camp set

MANILA, Philippines - Barely has the previous season been over when the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) ushers in a new one.

Asia’s pioneering pro league officially kicks off its 37th year this week with the holding of the PBA Rookie Camp, and culminating with the 2011 Annual Draft on Sunday at the Robinsons Place Manila.

The total of 36 rookie hopefuls get to show their physical strength and playing abilities when they participate in the yearly Rookie Camp set Aug. 23 to 25.

On the first day of the camp today at the Club 650 gym, aspirants will be measured according to their height, weight and wing span, and then required to undergo endurance test by doing bench press, a 50-meter sprint, pull ups, push ups, sit ups and vertical leap.

The activities – starting from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – culminate with the shooting drills where players will be made to shoot the flare, around the world, curl break jump and elbow mid post.

The next two days (Wednesday and Thursday) are going to be devoted entirely on scrimmages, with the rookie applicants being divided into two teams.

Both scrimmages will be held at the Ynarez Center in Pasig from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Seven members of the Smart Gilas-Pilipinas national team, namely JV Casio, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz, Jason Ballesteros, Mark Barroca, Dylan Ababou, and Mac Baracael, head this year’s batch of rookie aspirants.

Also in the draft is former UR Warrior Paul Lee, who is expected to go high in the draft.

Powerade holds the right to select the no. 1 overall pick in the draft.