NBA top pick here tonight

Johnny Antonio Taylor, the Orlando Magic’s first round pick in 1997, arrives tonight to suit up for Sta. Lucia Realty in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) First Conference starting Feb. 10.

Taylor, 27, played for Orlando and Denver in three National Basketball Association (NBA) seasons and will be the 34th first round choice to see action in the PBA since 1975.

Realtors coach Norman Black told The STAR that the 6-8, 220-pound Taylor will team up with 6-3 Lelan McDougal, a former California State at Santa Barbara star. McDougal, who arrived here last Sunday, was described by Black as "a flatout scorer (and) a more agile version of (ex-Sta. Lucia import) Isaac Fontaine."

Black said he would’ve preferred to rehire Damian Owens, who led Sta. Lucia to the Governors Cup title last year, but opted for Taylor and McDougal because of salary cap constraints. Owens reportedly asked for too much money. Black said he would’ve accommodated Owens if the First Conference format was for a single import.

Taylor is one of only four University of Tennessee at Chatanooga players ever to make it to the NBA. Another was Willie White who once played in the PBA. As a senior at Chatanooga, Taylor averaged 16.5 points and led the Moccasins varsity to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. He was a two-time All-Southern Conference pick.

Among Taylor’s NBA single-game highs were 21 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists.

McDougal played as an import in France and Lebanon before suiting up for the San Diego Wildfire in the American Basketball Association (ABA) last season. The spitfirish guard hit at a 20-point clip for the Wildfire.

Black said he’s pleased with the progress of draftees Omanzie Rodriguez and Chito Victolero whom he described as "rookie veterans" because of their experience in the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA). Both Rodriguez and Victolero were recently signed to three-year contracts. Veterans Gerard Francisco and Chris Tan were also signed to three-year renewals. Earlier, Dennis Espino inked a five-year deal at the maximum salary.

"Omanzie can play the three or four spots — I expect him to play a lot of minutes with Marlou (Aquino) and Dennis on the national team," said Black. "Omanzie has the best perimeter shot of our big men. He’s agile and he can guard smaller guys. He’s perfect for the three spots. In the All-Filipino, we’ll play a frontline of Marlou, Dennis and Omanzie."

Black said he plans "to move some players" by next week, depending on who’s available for trades. He disclosed that guard Felix Belano has asked to be traded but if no deal emerges, he’ll use a rotation of Paolo Mendoza, Victolero, and Belano.

In other PBA news, Coca Cola coach Chot Reyes said the Tigers imports for the First Conference will be the comebacking Rosell Ellis of McNeese State and 6-8 Fred Williams of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Williams, who has played in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, arrives today while Ellis planes in tomorrow morning.

Reyes said he’s looking into the possibility of signing up Bong Hawkins for a year but will not give up Estong Ballesteros to FedEx in a trade. He confirmed that Jojo Lastimosa, Pido Jarencio, Nelson Asaytono, and Mon Jose will not be back on the team this year. Lastimosa is back at Alaska and Jose is trying out for a spot at Purefoods.

With Johnny Abarrientos, Poch Juinio, Rudy Hatfield and rookie Rafi Reavis in the national candidates pool, Reyes said he expects to sign up the Tigers five draft picks. He singled out Leo Avenido and Jojo Manalo as draft sleepers who’ll surely surprise this season. He also said new hires Jeffrey Cariaso and Freddie Abuda are expected to play major minutes,

Reyes said J.B. Baylon, Coca Cola Export Director of Corporate Affairs, will sit as the club’s representative in the PBA Board of Governors.

At Red Bull, guard Joe Bunn arrived the other night to pair with Julius Nwoso for the Thunder. Bunn, 26, played at North Carolina State, Old Dominion, and Phillips University.

Tony Lang, who led Red Bull to the Commissioner’s Cup crown last year, is playing in Japan and will not be available until late February. Lang was recently offered a 10-day contract to play for Toronto in the NBA but turned it down because of his commitment in Japan.

Nwoso’s original partner Mohammad Acha flew out after doctors suggested treatment for a heart ailment. During a recent practice, Acha’s heart stopped for five seconds and Jay Mendoza applied mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to revive the Nigerian.

At Purefoods, coach Eric Altamirano is rehiring Derrick Brown and bringing in 6-7 Leonard White of Southern University. White, 30, was the Los Angeles Clippers second round pick in 1993.

At Alaska, Ron Riley returns with 6-6, 240-pound Muntrelle Dobbins of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

At San Miguel Beer, Lamont Strothers is looking for another import partner after first choice Ira Newble was signed by the Atlanta Hawks last Tuesday.

At Barangay Ginebra, import Charles (Bubba) Wells has been playing like a man on a mission at practice. Team manager Ira Maniquis said Wells is sharper, quicker, and deadlier than he was last season. Ginebra is shopping for a replacement import after coach Allan Caidic sent home a sluggish David Vaughn yesterday.