Former University of Cebu center expected to be picked first in today’s PBA Rookie Draft

Former Cebuano collegiate star June Mar Fajardo is likely to be picked first in the 2012 Rookie Draft  today  at the Midtown Robinson’s Place Manila.

The Petron Blaze Boosters will be picking first in the draft and have already expressed their desire to tab Fajardo.

Petron will show up today with a retooled coaching staff as Olsen Racela has reportedly been named as new head coach, replacing Ato Agustin.

Racela and Serbian coach Rajko Toroman were the prime candidates to replace Agustin but the Petron management  opted to stay with the former San Miguel Beer point guard.

While Fajardo is most likely to be picked first, what is uncertain is who’s going to be picked next after the 6-foot-10 ex-University of Cebu stalwart.

This year’s Draft is considered to have one of the deepest pool of talents, with 57 hopefuls looking to fulfill their dreams of playing in Asia’s first pay-for-play league.

Picking next after Petron are the Alaska Aces then the Boosters (from Barako Bull Energy) will choose again for the third pick. Picking fourth the Meralco Bolts followed by Barako Bull Energy (from Petron), Barangay Ginebra Kings (from Powerade Tigers), Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, Barangay Ginebra Kings, B-Meg Llamados and Global Port Batang Pier (from Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters).

Global Port is the newest league member after it bought the franchise of the disbanded Powerade.  Glen Capacio will coach GlobalPort on an interim basis.

Alaska is torn between Cliff Hodge and Calvin Abueva, two players who can certainly create immediate impact.

The Aces also went busy beefing up their coaching staff as they brought Alex Compton and veteran coach Aric del Rosario, who will assist head coach Luigu Trillo.