Pacman skips PBA Draft

THE TOTAL number of applicants was predicted to balloon  from 95 to 100 by today’s Rookie Draft, but instead the opposite happened.

The number was reduced to 87, which could be good because the PBA office has been having apprehensions regarding accommodation and crowd control at Robinsons Manila’s  ground floor today.

After all, there are two additional teams in the league this incoming season and there’s always the possibility that the world’s most exciting boxer would drop by.

The Pacman has advised the PBA office that he might not make it back to Manila from China by Draft time, but one can never be sure.

Manny sometimes makes a solemn promise to attend an event but doesn’t  show up. There are other times he says he can’t go but surprises everyone with his unexpected presence.

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PBA media bureau head Willie Marcial said the number of hopefuls dropped because eight applicants backed out at the last minute.

Veteran player agent Danny Espiritu said three of these eight are his players. They probably felt they needed to beef up their game more in the amateur ranks.

According to Danny, the 10 old teams are given only two rounds to pick from the pool. The rest of the rounds will be reserved for the expansion clubs.

To limit the people in the restricted area, Marcial has instructed his staff to inform everyone concerned that only one reporter per publication/website will be allowed to enter. The draftees will also not be allowed to bring in family and friends.

This is for strict implementation, according to Willie.

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In my more than 30 years of sportswriting, I don’t recall ever seeing San Miguel Corp. president/CEO Ramon S. Ang attend a social function. Partying, no matter how important, is simply not his cup of tea.

I knew he was voted Executive of the Year by the PBA Press Corps, which meant that he was automatically the guest of honor, but it was wishful thinking to expect him to arrive.

“Don’t worry, he’ll have a proxy to accept the plaque or trophy,” I told the boys.

As fate would have it, I could not get hold of my driver all day and since I have poor night vision, I couldn’t drive to the venue, the Richmonde Hotel in Eastwood.

Later, while hoping my driver would still show up, I got a text message from TV5’s Paul Mata announcing the arrival of RSA.

His being there came as a big shock to me. Paul said he delivered a short speech, which everyone loved because he was very warm and personal as he talked about his school days with classmate Atoy Co and his great admiration for two-time Grand Slam coach Tim Cone.

“Most of the awardees who couldn’t make it were ably represented such as Marc Pingris, whose wife Danica came to accept the award for him.