PBA top draftee out of it?

Where is Mike Cortez?

This seems to be the question in everybody’s mind as the deadline for the submission of entries to next year’s Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft closes this afternoon.

At presstime, the celebrated former La Salle cager has not yet applied for the draft where he could easily be the top pick since Alaska Milk, which beat Barangay Ginebra in last week’s lottery draw, has showed great interest in acquiring him.

All Cortez needs to do to become the PBA’s top rookie pick in 2003 is to show up today at the league’s office in Pasig City then come up with the needed papers from the Bureau of Immigration and Department of Justice before the deadline on Jan 6.

But the question on Cortez’ citizenship remains unanswered since it’s not yet known if he has secured the needed documents.

The Fil-Am cager, who helped La Salle win the UAAP crown in 2000 and 2001, left in haste amidst swirling speculations that he took a dive in the last UAAP war between La Salle and Ateneo.

PBA assistant to the commissioner Ricky Santos said over 30 aspirants have applied for the draft.

"There is a possibility that this year’s entry would surpass last year’s more than 70 applicants because we are expecting a lot more to file tomorrow (Friday)," said Santos.

Rommel Adducul, who played for two MBA champion teams, leads the early birds along with fellow M BA stars Eddie Laure, Billy Mamaril, Edgar Echavez, Stephen Padilla, Bruce Dacia, Reynel Hugnatan and Leo Bat-og among others.

Ateneo star Enrico Villanueva, who led the Eagles to the UAAP and the PBL titles this year, spearheads some of the country’s hottest amateur players.

Villanueva is joined by Ateneo teammate Jec Chia and PBL aces Ronald Tubid, Gary David, Jenkins Mesina and Sunday Salvacion.

The current list has also its share of Fil-Am in Clarence Cole, Kalani Ferreria and Eugene Tejada.

Tejada, reportedly a Filipino who lives in the US, is a 6-foot-6 player who was brought in by US-based scout Bobby Rius.