Fajardo heads prized draftees

MANILA, Philippines - A big man full of potential, the reigning king of the NCAA, the PBA D-League MVP, a former Smart Gilas-Pilpinas training pool member, and a slew of talented Fil-Ams, make up the 61-player aspirants who have so far applied for the PBA Annual Draft set Aug. 19 at the Robinson Mid-land Manila.

Six-foot-9 Cebuano Junmar Fajardo formally submitted his papers at the PBA office Monday, joining a bumper crop of talents that includes San Sebastian stalwart Calvin Abueva and Vic Manuel, recipients of the MVP award in the NCAA and D-League, respectively, one-time national player Aldrech Ramos, and foreign-bred players Chris Ellis, Cliff Hodge, Jason Deutchman, Charles Keith Jensen, and Alex Mallari. 

Deadline for local players wishing to join the league’s first formal activity for its 38th season is on Aug. 3.

Air21 owns this year’s top overall pick, although the rights have since been traded to Petron, which had signified its intention to make the 22-year-old Fajardo, who played for the San Miguel Beermen in the Asean Basketball League, as next season’s top pick.

Fajardo, born in Compostela, Cebu, has been the dominant big man down South the past four years, winning three MVP titles and steering the University of Cebu Webmasters to back-to-back championships in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. 

He once rivaled fellow big man Greg Slaughter of the University of the Visayas, until the Fil-Am center went to the Big City and transferred to Ateneo.

But this year’s Draft is more than just the Fajardos, Abuevas, Manuels, and the Hodges.

Other familiar names are also in the list, the likes of Ronald Pascual, who forms part of the Stags’ dreaded “Big 3” along with Abueva and Ian Sangalang, big man Dave Marcelo who played a key role in San Beda’s back-to-back NCAA championships, Jewel Ponferada, Eman Monfort of four-time UAAP title holder Ateneo, former Far Eastern University gunner JR Cawaling, and the Adamson quartet of Lester Alvarez, Janus Lozada, Jerick Canada, and Jan Colina.

Then there’s also the second generation of players such as Raymond Austria, Paul Gonzalgo, Danilo Pribhdas Jr., and Paul Zamar.

All rookie aspirants will undergo the regular biometrics procedure on Aug. 15, before the league issues the final list of candidates on Aug. 16.

Powerade used last year’s No. 1 overall pick on JV Casio, who lost out to No. 2 Paul Lee of Rain or Shine for the coveted Rookie of the Year title in the recent Annual Leo Awards.