104 players display stuff in PBL Rookie Camp today

People's Journal
September 26, 2007

One hundred four players each dreaming to become a big star someday are expected to show up and display their stuff today when the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) holds its Rookie Camp at The Arena in San Juan.

UAAP and NCAA stars, led by Jervy Cruz of University of Santo Tomas, and several other Fil-foreign players, among them Richard Cole of Cypress College and Amir Mazarei of University of Redlands, are among those who have confirmed their participation in the rookie camp which starts at 9 a.m.

Gabe Norwood, the 6-foot-5 former George Mason University starter in the US NCAA, has also made himself available for the rookie draft slated Friday but he’s not expected to attend the camp duo to a previous commitment.

The wiry but athletic Norwood played for the all-pro Philippine team in the FIBA-Asian Championship in Japan recently.

PBL Executive Director Butch Maniego said this year’s batch of aspiring rookies is perhaps the deepest and most talented in years considering that six players who stand at 6-foot-6 are joining the camp that will be supervised by Joey Guanio and Jig Mendoza.

“We expect that majority of the applicants will be joining the camp but some players who still have some important games in the UAAP and NCAA are not required to attend,” said Maniego.

Deputy Commissioner Tommy Ong said the rookie camp is the start of what is expected to be a long journey for most aspirants who wish to play in the pro league someday.

“If they pass this test, I’m sure they will be drafted. So they have to show their real worth,” said Ong.

The aspirants will do some drills that will test their endurance, toughness quickness, shooting and defensive ability.

Nine players from UAAP finalist University of the East, including the wily James Martinez, 6-foot-4 Hans Thiele and Mark Fampulne, have also signed up.

Budding stars like Woody Co of University of the Philippines, Leo Canuday of Adamson, Melchor Gile of UST, John Carlos Hermida of San Beda, Michael Kong of University of Perpetual, Marvin Hayes of Jose Rizal University and Alfredo Cerilla of Far Eastern University are also joining the camp.

Other Fil-foreigners in the list are Allan Aguilar, Ryan Boado, Anthony Davis, Mishaal Luz, Raymond Montaniel, Paolo Obra and Bolden Roosevelt.

Hapee Toothpaste, out to redeem itself after a disappointing campaign last conference, will pick first in the drafting followed by San Miguel-Magnolia.