Blog Survey #2: Al-Hussaini, Espiritu, Baclao to be taken first three in PBA draft

Rabeh to be PBA's top draft pick

By Josiah Israel Albelda

Photos from Google Images

27 August 2010

With Air21 sorely lacking in ceiling in the coming PBA wars, Bilog ang Bola readers say that the Express will take the three best big men from college in Sunday's Draft at the Market! Market!


Former UAAP MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini of Ateneo collected 23 out of 24 votes (95%) to top the week-long survey posted here. 


The six-foot-six slotman is also expected by pundits to be the top pick in the annual selection of rookies.


His Season 72 finals foe, the high-flying Elmer Espiritu, came in second with 14 votes (58%) while Al-Hussaini's frontcourt partner, Nonoy Baclao was third with 13 votes (54%).


While three ex-UAAP stars rounded up the top three vote-getters, former NCAA stalwarts occupied slots four to six.


San Sebastian's prolific scorer Jimbo Aquino got six votes (25%), last season's MVP John Wilson of Jose Rizal University had five (20%) and Letran's sharpshooting RJ Jazul finished with three (12%).


Borgie Hermida (San Beda), Pari Llagas (UE) and Rey Guevarra (Letran) had one vote (4%) each. Arellano's Gio Ciriacruz did not get any vote.


This week's survey would be on which team will top the elimination round of the UAAP.

PBA: Captain Hook to sail with Meralco

Captain Hook set to sail with Meralco

Air 21 now has 1st, 2nd, 3rd picks in 2010 Draft

By Josiah Israel Albelda

20 August 2010

I hope Mac Cardona doesn't bring his penchant for court scuffles with him to Meralco. 

After getting stripped barren due to lopsided trades over the past few seasons, the Meralco (Jumpers) franchise is starting to build from the rubble.

It was less than a month ago since the sale of the former Sta. Lucia franchise was finalized and the team owned by basketball godfather Manny V. Pangilinan is already making its presence felt in the big league, signing three-time champion coach Ryan Gregorio, who tagged assistant Ronnie Magsanoc along with him.

The deal gives Gregorio (supposedly) a guaranteed five-year contract that will hand him the coaching reins of the Meralco squad while also being the head of the company's basketball operations.

Now, the (Jumpers) have acquired Talk N' Text scoring machine Mac Mac Cardona in a three-team deal that also involved Air 21.

Sinong napunta saan?

Air 21 Express - Josh Urbiztondo and 3rd pick in the 2010 Draft (from Meralco)

Meralco (Jumpers) - Mac Mac Cardona (from Talk N' Text)

Talk N' Text Tropang Texters - 4th pick in the 2010 Draft (from Air 21)

In essence, Meralco got Cardona for the 4th pick in next week's Rookie Draft.

Extra

Some notable draft prospects: RJ Jazul, Jimbo Aquino, John Wilson, Pari Llagas, Elmer Espiritu, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao, Giorgio Ciriacruz, Borgie Hermida, Rey Guevarra