Seven Nationals, Paul Lee head PBA Rookie Camp

MANILA—Smart Gilas-Pilipinas mainstays led a total of 36 aspirants who took part in the PBA Rookie Camp that started Tuesday at Club 650 gym in Libis, Quezon City.

Crack point guard JV Casio and fellow Nationals Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz, Jason Ballesteros, Mark Barroca, Dylan Ababou and Mac Baracael are expected to figure prominently in the tests of physical strength and playing ability designed to gauge their readiness to join the pro ranks.

Also expected to figure prominently in the pecking order is former University of the East star Paul Lee.

The three-day rookie camp  officially kicked off the 37th year of Asia’s pioneering league, culminating with the 2011 Annual Draft this Sunday at Robinsons Place in Manila.

Tuesday, aspirants were measured according to their height, weight and wing span, and then required to undergo endurance test—bench press, a 50-meter sprint, pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups and vertical leap.

The activities, which started from 11 a.m. and ended at 4 p.m., culminated with the shooting drills, where players were made to shoot the flare, around the world, curl break jump and elbow mid post.

The next sessions today and tomorrow will be devoted entirely  on scrimmages. The rookie applicants will be divided into two scrimmage teams at the Ynares Center in Pasig from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Powerade holds the right to select the No. 1 overall pick in the Draft.