SLR, Williams okay P17-M deal; Arwind offered P8M

The Sta. Lucia Realty management and top draft pick Kelly Williams reached an agreement for a megabuck P17-million deal over a period of five years less than 24 hours after the 2006 PBA Rookie Draft Sunday afternoon.

Over at Air21, board representative and team manager Lito Alvarez said they intend to sign No. 2 pick Arwind Santos to a three-year contract worth P8.5 million.

Sta. Lucia governor Buddy Encarnado presented their lucrative offer to Williams in a dinner with the team right after the drafting at the Metro Market! Market! in Taguig.

Yesterday morning, Encarnado had a talk with William’s newly hired agent Alex Compton, and the two parties virtually reached a deal.

"There’s no hitch in our talk. We formally close the deal and will present Williams to the media probably Wednesday," said Encarnado.

Williams, the 6-foot-4 all-around player out of Oakland University in Detroit, stands to receive the allowed maximum pay for the next five years. He gets P150,000 a month this year, P225,000 next year, P337,500 in 2008 and P350,000 in 2009-2010.

Also awaiting Williams is a rich bonus scheme. "Just like our normal employees, he’s entitled to bonuses and incentives," said Encarnado.

Also picking big man Mark Isip and forward Mark Magsumbol in the draft, Encarnado said he has now got a team that can contend for the championship.

The Realtors have won a PBA crown just once since joining the league in 1993. They ruled the 2001 Governors Cup with Damien Owens as import.

Like Williams, Santos is to get the maximum pay allowed for a rookie this year, for a sophomore next year and for a three-year pro in 2008.

"Picking him at No. 2 is like picking him at No. 1. We’ll have no discussion, he’ll be given the maximum pay," said Alvarez.

Alvarez is also excited with the team they’ve formed for the coming 2006-07 PBA season.

"Gary David and Ronald Tubid are returning from injury. We have good ceiling with Yancy (de Ocampo), Ranidel (de Ocampo), Mark Telan, KG Canaleta and Santos," said Alvarez.

"We’ll now be able to play with four big men and one small guy in Yancy, Ranidel, Canaleta, Santos and Wynne (Arboleda). Our coaches said it can be done because Canaleta and Santos can press and run with their height," Alvarez added.