Realtors ready to pick Williams

Barring last-minute change of heart by the Sta. Lucia management, the giant land developing company is picking Kelly Williams No. 1 overall in the 2006 PBA Rookie Draft at Market! Market! in Taguig today.

The question is whether Sta. Lucia is going to sign and keep Williams as San Miguel Beer was reportedly dangling a juicy trade offer for the prized Fil-Am player.

Air21 picks Arwind Santos at No. 2, Coca-Cola enlists either Mark Isip or Gabby Espinas at No. 3 then San Miguel plucks LA Tenorio and Joseph Yeo at Nos. 4 and 5.

Other players expected to go high in the draft are Abby Santos, Boyet Bautista, Aaron Aban, Mark Andaya and Ronnie Bughao.

Sta. Lucia is likely to choose another big man in exercising its rights for the No. 6 pick. Next in the draft order is Alaska Milk then Talk n Text, Purefoods and Welcoat to close out the first round.

Like last year, the draft lasts only two rounds.

The other draft hopefuls are Chico Lanete, Mark Magsumbol, Rodel Mallari, Ferdinand Daa, Paul Reguera, Ryan Rizada, Frederick Rodriguez, Ryan Cristobal, Ariel de Castro, Richard Alonzo, Jireh Ibanes, Magnum Membrere, Marlon Kalaw, Orvie Vidad, Glenn Perseveranda, Michael Gavino, Nicole Uy, Jonathan Aldave, Olan Omiping, Erwin Sta. Maria, John Alcaraz, Alfie Grijaldo, Christian Luanzon, Harold Sta. Cruz, Jerome Paterno, Robert Sanz, Ronjay Enrile, Christopher Apaitan, Al Vergara, Jayson Roque, Philip Butel, Aaron Aban, Erian Daja, Chris Pacana, Manuel Caceres, Donald Dulay, Christian Gutierez and Bob Ilanga.

However, much of the attention is on Williams, an Oakland University in Detroit product who’s the object of a silent tug-of-war between Sta. Lucia and San Miguel.

"As far as I’m concerned I’m just happy at the opportunity to be in the draft. Whatever happens is whatever happens. Let God’s will be done. I just wanna be able to play in the PBA which I’ve been figuring to do all this time. I’m just ready to play in the league," said Williams after the recent RP-Lebanon game.

Williams addressed speculations he might opt to sit out one or two seasons if a ball club other than San Miguel drafts him.

"There are lots of talks going on. I’ve been hearing a lot of things," he said." But I just wanna focus on being able to play. I can’t really get deep into that. I just wanna see what happens."

But reports said Sta. Lucia is ready to tender Williams an offer he can’t refuse.

Team owner Excy Robles has reportedly given board representative Buddy Encarnado and coach Alfrancis Chua the green light to shed off the Realtors’ "homegrown" image to gain the services of the 6-foot-4 do-it-all player.