Rookies and Cream...

They were the Basketball Creams-of-the-Crop during their college days. Now, they face a tougher challenge of reviving the professional league, Philippine Basketball Association. Last Sunday, 18 rookies were drafted from the pool of PBA aspirants. After playing their monstrous games for play-for-school leagues, let's see how they fare in the play-for-pay atmosphere.

Below is the result of the 2005 PBA Draft:

First Round:

1 – Anthony Washington, Air 21

2 – Alex Cabagnot, Sta. Lucia Realtors

3 – Dennis Miranda, Coca-Cola Tigers

4 – Jondan Salvador, Purefoods TJ Hotdogs

5 – Mac-Mac Cardona, Air 21

6 – Niño Cañaleta, Air 21

7 – Mike Holper, Ginebra San Miguel

8 – Paolo Hubalde, San Miguel Beermen

9 – Leo Najorda, Red Bull Barakos

10 – Cesar Catli, Sta. Lucia Realtors

Second Round:

11 – Neil Raneses, Coca-Cola Tigers

12 – Al Magpayo, Coca-Cola Tigers

13 – BJ Manalo, Purefoods TJ Hotdogs

14 – Larry Fonacier, Red Bull Barakos

15 – Mark Joseph Kong, Alaska Aces

16 – Rey Mendoza, Sta. Lucia Realty

17 – Paolo Bugia, Red Bull Barakos

18 – Mark Macapagal, Talk N’ text Phone Pals

---Nothing Follows---

Now for a basketball fan like me, the next thing you have to watch out for is the contract signing... As of this time, I think only Alex Cabagnot and Anthony Washington have already had their contracts signed, both with 150,000-buck salary, the maximum salary for a PBA rookie.

Booyah...