CADETS JOINING ROOKIE DRAFT
THE PBA Rookie Draft is set to become more loaded with talent.
Sources have said that contrary to earlier reports the likes of amateur standouts Kevin Alas, Garvo Lanete, Matt Ganuelas and Jake Pascual are all set to file their draft applications.
Also included among the notables trying their luck on the proceedings slated Aug. 24 at Robinson’s Midtown Ermita are collegiate stars Prince Caperal of Arellano, Harold Arboleda of Perpetual Help and former La Salle Green Archer Papot Paredes.
Caperal has already submitted his draft application while the rest are set to follow suit on or before the Aug. 13 deadline.
According to PBA Operations Director Rickie Santos, there are already 67 applicants who have applied for the draft as of Friday noon, including the 15 who beat an earlier deadline for Fil-foreign players.
However, the real targets of the 12 teams are the members of the Gilas Cadets who have also powered NLEX to six championships in seven PBA D-League conferences and are all projected to be first round picks.
Shooter Ronald Pascual has opted to remain in the amateurs, but some of his teammates like the other Pascual, as well as Alas, Lanete and Ganuelas, deem themselves ripe for the PBA.
“They feel their time to join the pro ranks is now,” said one source, who is closely identified with the Cadets.
“Before they were hesitant kasi they have yet to make up their minds,” added another source. “But after consultation with their respective families and other close ones they have decided to make the jump.”
The news should be a welcome one for the likes of Rain or Shine, Barako Bull, NLEX (formerly Air21), Alaska, Barangay Ginebra and San Mig Coffee, which all have first round picks.
GlobalPort has the rights to the top overall pick while Talk N Text and San Miguel Beer do not own any first round rights.
New members Kia and Blackwater pick 11th and 12th, respectively, before reversing their order in kicking off the second round.
The Batang Pier have already stated they are bent on tabbing Stanley Pringle while one of the sources claimed the Elasto Painters are keen on using their rights at No. 2 on Jake Pascual and No. 9 on Ganuelas, if he is still available.
The Energy have three first round picks at Nos. 3, 8 and 10, the Road Warriors have the turn at No. 4, followed by the Aces at fifth, Kings at sixth and Mixers at seventh. (NC)
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