Japeth who? Express want Al-Hussaini, Baclao

MANILA, Philippines—Who needs Japeth Aguilar?   Definitely not Air21.   The Express, who failed to make it past the wild-card phase of both conferences in the recent PBA season because of big-man woes, will exercise their first two picks in the coming Rookie Draft to select the two finest centers available in the pool.   Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Nonoy Baclao, stalwarts of Ateneo’s back-to-back UAAP champion squads, will be picked by the Express first and second overall, respectively, in the Draft proceedings scheduled Aug. 29 at the Market! Market! in Taguig.   A source close to the owners of the Air21 franchise in the PBA said Al-Hussaini and Baclao will be “non-negotiable” as the Express try to pick up the pieces of a fruitless 35th Season.   “This is our chance to beef up in the center slot,” the source, who asked not to be named, told the Inquirer.   “We will entertain no offers, as far as the top two picks are concerned. Air21 learned its lessons with Japeth (Aguilar).”   Air21 picked Aguilar first overall in last year’s Draft, passing up on the chance to nab former La Salle ace Rico Maierhofer.   Aguilar, however, reneged on his Draft commitments and expressed his intent to play for the Smart Gilas Pilipinas squad. After playing just one forgettable pro game, he was traded to Talk ‘N Text, which shipped him to Smart Gilas.   The Express actually own the first three picks and the sixth overall after acting as conduit to the Meralco-Talk ‘N Text trade that sent Mac Cardona to the PBA’s newest squad.   But the source said Air21 is open to negotiations for its other two first-round choices.   Baclao is a sought-after talent in the PBA, in the mold of a Marc Pingris and a Rudy Hatfield, who can play defense against bigger men, especially imports.   Meanwhile, Hussaini scored 12 points built around a 10-of-12 clip from the free throw line yesterday, to lead the White Team to a 76-71 decision of the Red in the PBA Rookie Camp at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.   The two-time UAAP MVP Al-Hussaini was undoubtedly not in his best form as he made just 1-of-4 field goal attempts.   Former NCAA MVP Jimbo Aquino also had 12 points in pacing the Red squad, with Claiford Arao shooting 11.   Filipino-Canadian aspirant Sean Michael Anthony, impressed Derby Ace/Purefoods team manager Alvin Patrimonio.   The 6-foot-4 guard posted eight points, four steals and three rebounds for the Reds.   In the other game, former Santo Tomas center Mark Canlas piled up 16 points as Blue won a second straight game, 80-65, over Yellow.   Barnett Rogado led Yellow with 12 points, while Elmer Espiritu, Khazim Mirza and Robert Labagala added nine each.