RoS may pick Pascual in draft pool

MANILA, Philippines - NLEX do-it-all forward Ronald Pascual made himself available for the PBA Rookie Draft yesterday, a welcome development for Rain or Shine which is eagerly looking forward to net the former San Sebastian College standout from the coming draft exercise.

Pascual, along with stablemate Dexter Maiquez, personally submitted their draft application forms in the PBA Commissioner’s Office in Libis, Quezon City, thus, adding some depth in the shallow draft pool.

“I’ll be the only one to be left behind (in the Gilas cadet pool), so I decided to join the draft,” said Pascual.

NLEX teammates and fellow Gilas cadet players Kevin Alas, Garvo Lanete and Matt Ganuelas were also expected to beat the 5 p.m. deadline for draft application yesterday.

Another NLEX stalwart Garvo Lanete, however, decided to skip the draft, believing he still needs to polish his game if he were to make an impact in the pros.

Jake Pascual was the first NLEX and Gilas cadet player to apply for the draft, assuring the presence of one quality big man on draft day set Aug. 24 at Robinson’s Place, Manila.

Minus a real dominant big man in the list, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said they would settle for a long shooting forward.

Guiao mentioned Ronald Pascual as somebody who could fill in their need.

“If theres big man available, he’ll do,” said Guiao of Pascual, a winner from his collegiate days at San Sebastian to his stints in the PBL, PBA D-League and in his tours of duty with the national team in the SEA Games and in SEABA.

“Anything that will boost the rookie pool is good for us. Ronald will be seriously considered in our deliberations with the owners and the coaching staff,” Guiao also said.

Pascual previously applied for the PBA draft only to withdraw later on.

But there should be no more turning back for Pascual especially with the prodding of his benefactor Pampanga vice governor Dennis Pineda.

The two Pascuals, Alas, Lanete and Ganuelas are likely to go high on the draft, right behind Fil-Am guard Stanley Pringle who is Globalport’s prospect for the No. 1 pick.

The draft order in the first round is Globalport, Rain or Shine (acquired from Meralco), Barako Bull, NLEX, Alaska, Ginebra, San Mig Coffee (acquired from San Miguel Beer), Barako Bull (from Talk n Text), Barako Bull (from San Mig Coffee), Team KIA and Blackwater Sports.

Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is in the draft pool. On draft day, he won’t be required though to be on the aspirants’ row but on Team KIA’s table being its head coach.