Air21 Eagles? Express to tap Ateneo's frontliners in PBA Rookie Draft

Air21 is expected to make Rabeh Al-Hussaini, the best big man in this year’s cast of newcomers applying for the coming PBA Rookie Draft set Aug. 29, as its top overall choice. Now, the Expresss will also have a chance to get Al-Hussaini’s frontline partner from the Ateneo Blue Eagles – Nonoy Baclao. This developed as the Express obtained the rights on the No.2 pick in the Draft, which previously belongs to Talk N Text. Talk N Text board representative Pato Gregorio confirmed to GMANews.TV that the No.2 pick, which his team secured from Barako Bull, is now with Air21. “It now belongs to Air21," said Gregorio in a text message. “I don’t know how Air21 got it, but Air21 got it from previous transactions, possibly the Japeth Aguilar trade." Baclao, another tough, hardworking frontliner and a solid defensive player, looms as the next best option after Al-Hussaini. The two were members of Ateneo’s back-to-back champion squads in the UAAP. The impending entry of Al-Hussaini, half brother of Express slotman Carlo Sharma, and Baclao to Air21 gives coach Yeng Guiao every reason to be excited. “Al-Hussaini is definitely our choice for No.1, but we’re also seriously considering Baclao because he’s a defensive player and sometimes willing to become a role player. He’s also a tough frontliner. His qualities fit our need," said Guiao in a telephone interview. “The good thing about having four first-round picks is that you can play around. You can use the other two picks for future consideration. Teams which are interested in securing these picks can talk to us. I believe the owner of the fourth overall pick can still get a quality player," added Guiao. But while Air21 is interested on rebuilding its lineup via the draft, Ginebra coach Jong Uichico hasn’t expressed much interest in this year’s batch of newcomers. “This year’s rookie batch is shallow in terms of talent. If there will be no other Fil-Ams joining, I think there are only five to six players, which you could consider as good picks." Uichico’s comments were based on the fact that only three Fil-Ams -- Josh Vanlandingham of Everett Community College, Sean Michael Anthony of McGill University and Hyram Bagatsing of La Salle -- have completed their respective documents to become eligible. Two other Fil-Ams, Mark Jeffries of San Diego Mesa College and Shawn Weinstein of San Diego State, submitted documents and met the 5 p.m. Monday deadline. Their papers will be scrutinized by the PBA legal office on Tuesday. The absence of notable and eligible Fil-foreign cagers would mean teams will certainly focus their attention on local talents. Aside from Al-Hussaini and Baclao, other prominent amateur players who have made themselves available for the Draft include former NCAA MVP John Wilson, Ford Arao, Jai Reyes, slam dunk king Elmer Espiritu, Jimbo Aquino, Marvin Hayes, Khazim Mirza, Rey Guevarra and RJ Jazul. Aspirants take center stage The aspirants will try to impress coaches and scouts as they strut their wares in the annual Rookie Camp, which starts on Aug. 20. The camp has been stretched to a seven-day event this time, giving all rookie hopefuls the opportunity to show their playing skills. Day 1 of the camp, which will be held at the Club 650 Gym in Libis, Quezon City, mainly involves physical test and drills, while the rest are concentrated on the candidates’ playing ability as they will be dispersed into four teams and undergo a single-round elimination from Aug. 21-26 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. The elimination round will culminate in a knockout championship on the final day of the camp. As in the past, the strength and athleticism of all rookie aspirants will be determined on the initial day of activities through physical measurement (height, weights, wing span) and strength test (push ups, sit ups, sprint, bench press and pull ups). Then, they will undertake different drills such as agility, shooting and dribbling. Day 1 activity will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Game time takes place the following day with the players divided into four teams, namely, Red, Blue, White and Yellow. All games will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The crossover semifinals will be held on Aug. 24, with the top seeded team taking on no. 4 squad and no. 2 facing no. 3. The two teams to survive will play in a one-game championship. - Rey Joble, GMANews.TV