2008-09-26 14:39:13 - MANILA. Philippine Basketball League: Ateneo to shore up Hapee, as Rookie Camp draws banner field

By Lily O. Ramos

Don't look now but Ateneo's having won the UAAP title (Link to match photos at end of story) might spill over as the core of its team appears to be heading for the Hapee Toothpaste squad of Lamoiyan Corp. headed by Dr. Cecilio de Pedro.

In a bid to end a four-year title drought, Hapee Toothpaste is making representation with Ateneo

officials to have its star-studded squad composed of Chris Tiu, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Eric Salamat, Nonoy Baclao and Jai Reyes.

De Pedro, one of the rabid supporters of Ateneo, is hoping to relive their glory days in the league. The last time they won was during the time of LA Tenorio, Larry Fonacier and Rich Alvarez.

Close to 200 aspirants from the country's various collegiate leagues, including five from UAAP runner-up La Salle and two from San Beda College, will show their wares as the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) holds its Rookie Camp Tuesday at the Jose Rizal University gym in Mandaluyong City.

In what could be the biggest gathering of top collegiate players, the Rookie Camp will give the aspiring rookies the opportunity to display their skills in the hope of impressing the coaches of seven teams taking part in the season-opening tournament slated next month.

Former PBA assistant coach Joey Guanio and Jigs Mendoza will supervise the training camp where they will give the aspirants several drills to determine their dribbling and defensive skills, shooting accuracy, leaping ability, speed and aggressiveness.

The Camp starts from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. However, only the top performers from Rookie Camp will be invited to the Rookie Draft slated Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.

Among the latest addition in the annual Rookie Camp are La Salle's Reejan Lee, Peejay Barua, Bader Mangahas, Simon Atkins and Ferdinand. James Mangahas, La Salle's third offensive option after JV Casio and Rico Maierhofer, had already signed up long time ago.

The 6-foot-6 Maierhofer has been playing for five-time champion Harbour Centre the past two years while Casio is the sparkplug of Toyota Otis.

Also joining the Rookie Camp are San Beda's David Marceco and Elvin Pascual, Mapua's Ian Cris Mazo, Allan Mangahas, Jason Pascual, Randolf Soriano, Jonathan Banal, Mark Sarangay and Paul Alexis Cinco.

Aside from the local bets, 14 Fil-foreign players have already confirmed their interest to join the Rookie Draft which starts at 7 p.m.

Pharex is expected to use its No. 1 pick to get Fil-Am Chriss Ross while Toyota Otis is likely to go for a big player to boost its frontcourt rotation. Magnolia, which owns the No. 3 pick, will tab a wingman following the departure of Bonbon Custodio.

Burger King, which is dead serious in making it to the finals this time, will pick at No. 4 followed by Hapee Toothpaste, Harbour and Bacchus Energy Drink.

Notable among the Fil-foreign group are Joseph Deas, a 5-foot-11 guard from Rockhurst University, and Jason Jackson, a 6-foot-2 guard from Western New Mexico College.

Fil-Ams Josh Vanlandingham, Anthony Davis and Edwin Torres, Jr., Fil-Australians Christopher Pails, Reighner Macasaet and John Rowe, Fil-Canadians Keith Erwin Cayanong and Janzen Castillo, Fil-Arab Khalif Fortune and Fil-German Thomas Wagner will also join the Rookie Draft.

Click to view match photos:

www.balitapinoy.net/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=511&twindow=Phot ..