Galang, Rosario loom as top PSL draft picks

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Superliga holds its rookie draft at SM Aura today with La Salle’s Ara Galang and Arellano U’s CJ Rosario the consensus top two picks for their talent, skills and winning attitude.

Galang, a vital cog in La Salle’s title conquest of Ateneo in the last UAAP season, showed up in last Thursday’s rookie camp and told officials she’s joining the draft. She, however, didn’t play nor participate in any of the activities and left for La Salle.

Minus Galang, Rosario, who helped power Arellano U to the NCAA championship two years ago, stood out from among the 19 other hopefuls who showed their wares in the camp.

RC Cola-Army, which will pick first in the draft, remains undecided.

“Both of them are very good. They are the rising stars in this league,” said RC Cola-Army coach Kungfu Reyes, who steered the Lady Troopers to the PSL Invitational crown early this year. 

“But we haven’t sat down to discuss our draft choice. This is a very crucial decision. We have to do a lot of research and study before coming up with a choice,” he added.

The draft starts at 5 p.m. and will be aired live over TV5.

Galang, who has recovered fully from an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury last year, is reportedly nursing a bruised knee.

But the injury is considered minor and Galang should emerge the first player from La Salle to be ever picked first in the PSL.

However, there were reports that Galang is considering withdrawing from the draft to join former La Salle teammates Aby Marano, Kim Fajardo, Mika Reyes, Cyd Demecillo, Dawn Macandili, Majoy Baron and Kim Dy at F2 Logistics as a direct hire.

There were also talks that RC Cola-Army might trade its pick for a veteran player since it is already loaded with talents, led by Jovelyn Gonzaga, Rachel Anne Daquis, Honey Royce Tubino and Tina Salak.

“For now, RC Cola-Army owns the top overall pick. But we may never know. Maybe they have already traded their pick to another team to acquire a veteran who can help them win another title. Let’s wait until the draft proper,” said PSL founder Tats Suzara.

Also expected to go high in the draft are Arellano stalwarts Danna Henson, Shirley Salamagos and Angel Legacion as well as Asi Soliven of National University, Mary Grace Berte of Holy Cross of Davao and Marlyn Llagoso and Jerra Mae Pacino of Southwestern University in Cebu.

Renelyn Raterta of University of Mindanao, Jonah Sabete of Bulacan State University, Gen Casugod of Far Eastern University, Sheryl Laborte of University of Negros Occidental, Lourdes Patilano of Adamson University, Sarina Bulan of University of the East and Christine Suyao of Emilio Aguinaldo College are also in the list of aspirants.

Generika will pick next followed by Perpetual, Standard Insurance-Navy, F2 Logistics, Cignal, Petron and Foton, which won the PSL Grand Prix crown last year.