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Friday, May 14, 2010

PBL-Liga Rookie Draft for first-ever joint tourney gets going

The Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas will hold a joint Rookie Draft Saturday for their first-ever tournament at the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) office in Philsports, Pasig City.

Butch Antonio of Liga Pilipinas said everything has been put in place although the draft order of the teams will only be determined during draft day. The drafting starts at 10 a.m.

Gauging the success of their group’s joint Rookie Camp, Antonio and PBL executive director Butch Maniego expressed confidence that the drafting will run smoothly.

“It will work, I believe," said Antonio, who is still trying to confirm the participation of several teams from Mindanao.

Those who sent representatives during the Rookie Camp were Laguna, Cebu and Pampaga from the Liga and Pharex, Cobra and Agri Nurture, Inc. from the PBL.

Magnolia of San Miguel Corporation is the other team from the PBL, which is likely to join the tournament.

Expected to grace the drafting are Liga and PBL officials led by SBP Executive Director and Liga Pilipinas president Noli Eala, PBL chairman Ding Camua, PBL Deputy Commissioner Tommy Ong and owners and representatives of the various teams.

Antonio and Maniego are hoping to come up with eight teams for their initial venture.

“We hope we can have eight teams," said Antonio
“This is the first joint project of the PBL and Liga and we’re confident this would be the start of something good for Philippine basketball, especially to its major stakeholders," said Maniego.

Excelroof, which ruled the PBL tournament last March, begged off this time since most of its key players will be playing in the NCAA starting next month.

Those who made themselves available for the drafting are 6-foot-8 Darryl Tucker, Sean Anthony, Jay Kevin Gray, Mark Andrew Bull, and Robert Simpson. - RCJ, GMANews.TV

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