Hapee makes Norwood top pick in PBL draft

People's Journal
September 29, 2007

FIL-AM Gabe Norwood has expressed interest in playing for the Philippine Basketball League, according to his agent, and was promptly made the No. 1 pick by Hapee Toothpaste yesterday during the PBL Rookie Draft at the Penthouse of the Philippine Stock Exchange Centre in Pasig City.

Hapee team manager Bernard Yang said he was assured by Norwood’s agent, Jim Naughton, that the 6-foot-5 former George Mason University star would be available for the team.

Yang added he and Naughton agreed to discuss the team’s offer to Norwood next week.

"I had already talked to his manager and he (Naughton) promised to settle pending commitments of Gabe in the US before coming back to the country," said Yang. "Then we’ll talk about the offer."

Hapee also picked San Beda’s John Carlos Hermida to beef up its backcourt.

University of Santo Tomas center Jervy Cruz was taken by the Lina Group of Companies as the No. 2 pick and also drafted Far Eastern University’s Marvel Baracael as its No. 4 pick.

Toyota Balintawak coach Ariel Vanguardia took James Ryan Sena of Jose Rizal University as the team’s No. 3 pick.

Pharex team manager Jean Alabanza, picking No. 6, drafted another FEU star in Alfredo Gerilla, while Bacchus Energy Drink coach Lawrence Chongson selected University of the East star James Martinez at No. 7.

Harbour Centre, bidding for a record fourth straight championship, didn’t have a pick in the first round but was given a supplemental pick because most of its players are on loan to the national training team.

Team manager Erick Arejola and coach George Gallent picked Solomon Mercado and FEU’s Benedict Fernandez while San Miguel-Magnolia, also given a supplemental pick, drafted Jefemil Khalili.

Toyota Balintawak tabbed Fil-Am Richard Cole and Pharex got Pepito Daryl.

Drafted in the second round were UST’s Melchor Gile (Hapee), Fil-Am Kevin Dalafu (San Mig-Magnolia), JRU’s Marvin Hayes (Toyota Balintawak), UP’s Woody Co (LGC), Leo Canuday (Harbour Centre), Ateneo’s Jeff de Guzman (Pharex and UP’s Migs De Asis (Bacchus).

Taken in the third round were Michael Johnson Kong of University of Perpetual Help (Hapee), UP’s Magi King Sison (San Mig-Magnolia), JRU’s John Wilson (Toyota Balintawak) Adrian Sosa (LGC), Julius Cumlat (Harbour), Kevyn White (Pharex).

The drafting went as far as the seventh round with a total of 36 players drafted. The last to be picked was Fil-Iranian Amir Mazarei, who was taken by Bacchus.