Powerade to pick first in today’s PBA Draft

OVER 30 ROOKIE hopefuls try to fulfill their dreams of playing in Asia’s first play-for-pay league when the 2011 PBA Rookie Draft gets underway at 4 p.m. today at the Midtown of Robinsons Place Manila.

All eyes will be on the Powerade Tigers, who own this year’s number one overall pick.

The Tigers are expected to pick Smart-Gilas’ top point guard JV Casio, one of the seven national players who decided to join the draft.

Aside from the five-foot Casio, the Tigers are also eyeing to select the six-foot Paul Lee, who made waves during his stint with the University of the East Warriors in the UAAP.

Last season, the league had only nine teams but the brand new season will now be competed by 10 squads.

This after the Lina Group of Companies bought the franchise of the Barako Bull, which took a leave of absence in the previous season. The new franchise will be named the Shopinas.com Clickers, which will be coached by ex-PBA player Franz Pumaren.

The Air21 Express have been renamed to Barako Bull, which will be mentored by Junel Baculi with former Air21 head coach Bong Ramos sliding to assistant coach.

After Powerade, the teams next to pick are Rain or Shine and then Barako Bull. Powerade will pick again (No. 4), followed by B-Meg (No. 5), Alaska (No. 6), Talk ‘N Text (No. 7), Barangay Ginebra (No. 8), Petron Blaze (No. 9) and Air21 (No. 10).

Unlike in the previous drafts which were limited two just two rounds, this year’s draft will end when all teams decide to pass./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA