Hopefuls display wares today

With the kinks ironed out and Draft Day just within an earshot, a bulk of the 62 rookies are expected to show up today in the Samsung-PBA Rookie Camp at the SM Megamall Building B parking lot with hopes of impressing coaches and scouts, who are already impressed by the depth of talent in the pool.

American coach John Moran, a former camp director at the Bob Knight School of Basketball and the Pete Newell Big Man’s Camp, will handle the Rookie Camp which will run from 3 to 8 p.m.

"We will be measuring their level of concentration. . . can they sustain a level of intensity, can they follow direction, their level of communication skills, and finally, will they listen and will they play when they’re tired," said Moran.

Fans can watch the proceedings for free. Aside from the two half courts and one full court that will be set up, the league will also put bleachers around the parking lot for the fans. After the camp, there will be an autograph session.

Coaches and scouts alike are expected to come in full force to be able to get to know the rookies’ skills a little better to map out their strategies during the Jan. 12 Annual Draft at the Glorietta in Makati.

"It’s going to be a deep draft and nobody really knows what is going to happen," said Purefoods assistant coach Ryan Gregorio, a co-winner of the Coach of the Year award given by the PBA Press Corps.

"This can go as deep as the middle of the third round," said San Miguel coach Jong Uichico.

"You can get a lot of quality players in this draft and there are different types of players available. I think a lot of teams will be able to plug holes in their lineups," said Coca-Cola assistant coach Binky Favis.

Big man Romel Adducul, prospective No. 1 pick Mike Cortez of La Salle, the do-it-all ex-Adamson standout Eddie Laure, Ateneo’s Enrico Villanueva and the mysterious Jimmy Alapag will likely draw a lot of attention in the camp.

"Everything has been set and I expect a lot of the rookies to come in and show what they are really made of," said PBA commissioner Noli Eala.

A big turnout of players is expected in the camp since Eala and PBL counterpart Chino Trinidad had a meeting yesterday and settled their problem about the matter.

Eala assured Trinidad and the 23 draft hopefuls from the PBL that the PBA will not in any way stand in the way of their commitment to the ongoing PBL Challenge Cup.

Eala said he will talk to the member PBA teams to allow them finish their PBL commitments, especially those players from the four teams in the crossover semifinals.

"Rest assured, you don’t have to worry that your commitments with your mother ballclubs will be disrupted since I will talk to the PBA teams on the matter," Eala told the PBL players.

"Likewise, commissioner Chino and I already talked about the sanctions on those who fail to show up in the Draft camp, so you don’t have to worry about it. But I’m hoping that most of you, if not all, will be there," he added.

Eala said the least they could do is show up and be acknowledged in the Draft Camp. For PBL players whose team will leave for Lucena City today, Eala will be scheduling them in the first batch of the Draft Camp.

Trinidad, for his part, wished the PBL players all the luck for the new challenge they’ll be facing this season.

"Good luck at sana makuha kayong lahat at di pa rin ninyo kakalimutan ang PBL. Whatever problem na ma-encounter ninyo doon, just feel free to come to us, the PBL office will always be open to you," said Trinidad.