PBL's Hapee gets Norwood

[snoillats]

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Hapee taps Norwood in PBL rookie draft


By Jasmine W. Payo
Inquirer
Last updated 04:59am (Mla time) 09/29/2007


MANILA, Philippines -- As expected, Fil-American Gabe Norwood emerged as the top pick in the PBL entry draft Friday.

Although absent, the mainstay of the Philippine team to the last Fiba Asia men's championship became the first choice of Hapee Toothpaste despite the uncertainty of the 6-foot-5 guard's return to the country.

Hapee took the gamble, citing ongoing talks with Norwood's agent Jim Naughton.

"I already talked to his manager and he (Naughton) promised to settle pending commitments of Gabe in the US before coming back to the country; then we'll talk about the offer," Hapee team manager Bernard Yang said after the draft held at the penthouse of the Philippine Stock Exchange in Pasig City.

Jervy Cruz, the 6-foot-5 star center of University of Santo Tomas, was the second choice, while FEU's Marnel Baracel was picked fourth by the Lina Group of Companies, which acquired the Welbest franchise.

Toyota Balintawak drafted JRU's James Ryan Sena third, along with Fil-Am Richard Cole and JRU standouts Marvin Hayes and John Wilson in the succeeding rounds.

Pharex made former FEU forward Alfred Gerilla its sixth pick, while Bacchus Energy Drink selected University of the East guard James Martinez at seventh.

Harbour Centre, the reigning three-time champion, earned supplemental picks for loaning its core to the national amateur team and chose Biola University's Solomon Mercado and FEU's Benedict Fernandez.

San Miguel-Magnolia acquired Jefemil Khalili, Fil-Am Kevin Dalafu and University of the Philippines' Magi Sison.

Pharex tabbed Pepito Daryl, Jeff de Guzman and Kevyn White in the next rounds, while San Beda's John Hermida, Melchor Gile and Michael Kong went to Hapee.

[piaosigua]

maau unta muduwa ni balik si norwood dri sa pinas. nindut bya to cya muduwa kay taas na pg.

[frehd]

sus ganahan ko kauu ko dinuwaan aning bataa

[thadzonline]

MIA pa man si Gabe, dili na cguro to duwa sa SEAG, but when ba start ang PBL? surely, he'll be here to play by then

[arnjim55]

Oct 28 man cguro...?

[amamangloy]

HE'S HERE!!!

[dark_phoenix]

ei..what about enrico llanto of USC?..apil jd xa PBL draft?

[thadzonline]

for next year cguro..di ba naa pa man cya 1 year eligibility left for CESAFI? read sa gameface and SunStar

[piaosigua]

cgurado jud cya ang # 1 pick sa pba next year.

[macro_shot]

^^ Mao jud. Unya most probably welcoat gyapon ang first pick ana. Devance and Norwood tandem dayon... WOW!