No surprise: Fil-Am Ross chosen no.1 in PBL draft

MANILA, Philippines – Pharex Medics made US-raised Filipino Chris Ross as the No. 1 pick in the Philippine Basketball League Rookie Draft Tuesday night at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City. After the six-foot-one Ross, Allan Mangahas was chosen second by Toyota Otis and Spartacus Rodriguez of San Francisco State University was picked no.3 by Magnolia. Brian Ilad of La Salle (Burger King), Lance Convento of California State Fullerton (Hapee Toothpaste), Erick Suguitan of ACSAT (Harbour Centre) and Paul Lee of University of the East (Bacchus Energy Drink) completed the first round. Hapee Toothpaste, which suffered a major preseason blow after Ateneo decided to pull out of its agreement to lend its players to the PBL team, also participated in the draft. Hapee picked virtual unknowns Christoper Canta, Mark Sarangay, Vengie Vergara, Ely Olarte, Chuck Dalanon, Josh Vanlandingham and Andy Mejos. Harbour Centre, which lost eight players to the PBA this year, took La Salle's Peejay Barua, University of Visayas' Von Lanete, Reynald Cui and Jessey Garcia. In an effort to create a well-balanced team, the Medics also drafted Adamson's Michael Galinato (second round), Mapua's Ian Mazo (third round), Letran's John Melegrito (fourth), Adamson's Junard Yambot (fifth round) and Adamson's Jerick Canada (sixth round). Toyota Otis took La Salle teammates James Mangahas and Bader Malabes, and Letran stars Alvin Cabonce and Clarence Foronda. – GMANews.TV