AS if their credentials aren’t enough already, projected top two picks Jio Jalalon and Mac Belo raised their stocks even higher after continuing to impress in the concluded two-day Rookie Camp of the Philippine Basketball Association.
Following the day-long pocket tournament for aspirants yesterday at the Draft Combine at the Hoops Center in Mandaluyong, Jalalon, the former star of Arellano University, emerged as the Most Valuable Player, leading his squad to victory.
The team of Jalalon, Raffy Banal, Jamer Jamito, Joseph Eriobu and Jovit Dela Cruz beat the team of Levi Hernandez, Jaycee Asuncion, Reden Celda, Jeoffrey Javillonar, Gene Belleza and Cedric Ablaza, 55-51, in the finale to win it all and make a good impression in front of the PBA scouts.
The Mythical Team was composed of Jalalon, Jamito, Selda, Eriobu and Mike Tolomia.
The 55 aspirants were divided into eight teams as they all participated in the mini-tournament to give the scouts and coaches a chance to look at them better in preparation for the upcoming draft.
In the Draft Combine two days back, Belo was the highest leaper among all aspirants, listing a 33.70 inch jump while having a 43.5 maximum leap.
Blackwater, picking first in the draft, already expressed its intentions of taking Belo, dubbed by many as the most pro-ready among all aspirants, as it hopes he can turn the fortunes of the Elite around with his all-around play.
The annual PBA Draft, divided into two: the special draft for the Gilas cadets and the regular draft, will be held this Sunday, Oct. 30, at the Robinson’s Place in Manila.
Following the blockbuster deal that got them superstar Paul Lee in exchange for longtime franchise player James Yap, Star secured two of its top guns yesterday, re-signing veteran big man Marc Pingris and rising spitfire RR Garcia to separate maximum deals.
Pingris was given a two-year pact while Garcia was handed a longer three-year deal.
Meanwhile, Mahindra star guard LA Revilla also signed a fresh three-year contract to stay with the improving Enforcer.
Revilla is a vital cog for Mahindra, which is starting to improve. It finished fifth just this past Governors’ Cup, with Revilla as the team’s main playmaker.