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2005 PBA DRAFT
August 14, 2005 @ Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall (Cainta, Rizal)

AIR21 made the biggest catch -- as expected -- in the annual Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft yesterday, picking up three blue-chip players led by this year's No. 1 overall choice Anthony Washington. A 6-foot-5 forward out of Eckerd College in the US NCAA Division II, the 190-lb Washington was the hands-down choice of the Express even before the rookie selection process started at the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall in Cainta, Rizal. "I was really nervous but I'm glad that it's finally over," said Washington, 22, who recently led Welcoat Paints to a championship crown in the Philippine Basketball League.

"I heard they (Express) were considering me as the top pick, but it
never really sank in until my name was called."

The Express also grabbed UAAP and PBL Most Valuable Player Mac
Cardona of De La Salle University (fifth overall) and made the slam-
dunking Nino Canaleta of University of the East the sixth pick.

Sta. Lucia Realty used its No. 2 overall pick on Alex Cabagnot, a 6-
foot-1 guard from University of Hawaii-Hilo in the US NCAA Divsion
II, while Coca-Cola, armed with the third overall choice, snagged
Dennis Miranda.

"Back in the States, I play the point," said Cabagnot, who impressed
scouts with his dribbling and shooting abilities. "But I will play
whatever position my coach wants me to play."

Miranda, a 6-foot playmaker from Far Eastern University, played for
the national team in the Jones Cup, his impressive stint making him a
worthy backup for ace guard Johnny Abarrientos.

"I'm speechless. Johnny (Abarrientos) is my idol since I began
picking up the sport," said the 22-year-old Miranda.

Purefoods selected 6-foot-5 Jondan Salvador of the College of St.
Benilde as the fourth overall choice.

"If there's one team in the PBA I would love to play with, it's none
other than Purefoods," said Salvador, a PBL MVP.

Wingman Michael Holper, who played for Air Philippines in the PBL,
went to Barangay Ginebra (seventh), while San Miguel Beer
surprisingly picked UE's Dean Paolo Hubalde, son of Hall of Famer,
Freddie Hubalde of Crispa fame.

Red Bull wrapped up the first round by grabbing NCAA MVP Leo Najorda
of San Sebastian College.

In the second round, Sta. Lucia picked FEU's Cesar Catli, Coca-Cola
selected Neil Raneses from University of Visayas and St. Benilde's Al
Magpayo, Purefoods got La Salle's BJ Manalo and Red Bull snatched
Ateneo de Manila University's Larry Fonacier.

Alaska grabbed 6-foot-7 Mark Kong, Sta. Lucia got National
University's Rey Mendoza and Red Bull picked 6-6 Paolo Bugia of
Ateneo. Talk `N Text, picking last, chose Mark Macapagal of San
Sebastian.

A total of 18 players were selected, making the rest of the 49
undrafted players free agents. The 18 rookies will have to sign a
contract with their mother ballclubs within seven working days.
Otherwise, they will become restricted free agents.

"With the rookies we picked plus the other players in the team, we
will now have a surplus of players in the wings and in the slot,"
said Air21 president and Express manager Lito Alvarez.

The Express already have Renren Ritualo, Gary David, Ronald Tubid and
Wesley Gonzales in the wings while Marc Pingris and Ranidel De Ocampo
duplicate the roles of Washington and Canaleta.

Air21 head coach Bo Perasol said at least five of the 16 Express
players will be unloaded.

Perasol said three teams have dangled tempting offers to acquire
Washington, but the former University of the Philippines Maroons
mentor stressed that the top pick fills the Express' need for a big
man.

FIRST ROUND

1) Air21 - Anthony Washington (Eckerd College)
2) Sta Lucia - Alex Cabagnot (University of Hawaii-Hilo)
3) Coca-Cola - Dennis Miranda (Far Eastern University)
4) Purefoods - Jondan Salvador (College of St. Benilde)
5) Air21 (via Talk N Text) - Mark Cardona (De La Salle University)
6) Air21 (via Alaska) - Nino Canaleta (University of the East)
7) Brgy. Ginebra - Mike Holper (San Diego State)
8) San Miguel - Paolo Hubalde (University of the East)
9) Red Bull - Leo Najorda (San Sebastian College)

SECOND ROUND

10) Sta. Lucia - Cesar Catli (Far Eastern University)
11) Coca-Cola (via Air21) - Neil Raneses (University of the Visayas)
12) Coca-Cola - Al Magpayo (College of St. Benilde)
13) Purefoods - BJ Manalo (De La Salle University)
14) Red Bull - Larry Fonacier (Ateneo de Manila)
15) Alaska - Mark Kong (Adamson University)
16) Sta. Lucia (via Ginebra) - Rey Mendoza (National University)
17) Red Bull (via San Miguel) - Paolo Bugia (Ateneo de Manila)
18) Talk N Text - Mark Macapagal (San Sebastian)

NOT SELECTED

Froilan Baguion (National University)
Jerwin Gaco (De La Salle University)
Alwyn Espiritu (University of Santo Tomas)
Emerson Oreta (University of Santo Tomas)
Al Vergara (St. Francis of Assisi)
Arjun Cordero (San Beda)
Jake Agleron (University of Santo Tomas)
Artemio Almeda (University of the Philippines)
Gerard Jones (Far Eastern University)
Romar Menor (College of St. Benilde)
Valentin Domingo (Manuel Luis Quezon University)
Christian Coronel (San Sebastian College)
Ronald Capati (College of St. Benilde)
Ryan Dy (Salazar Institute of Technology)
Bryan Tolentino (National University)
Arden Guiyab (Philippine Christian University)
Chico Lanete (Lyceum)
Raymond Dula (Mapua Institute of Technology)
Don Villamin (University of Santo Tomas)
Dennis Rodriguez (Philippine Christian University)
James Razon (Far Eastern University)
Cyril Santiago (Far Eastern University)
Ismael Junio (College of St. Benilde)
Marlon Kalaw (Manuel Luis Quezon University)
Melchor Latoreno (University of Santo Tomas)
Mark Abadia (Adamson University)
Vincent John Santos (University of Assumption, Pampanga)
Don Yabut (Far Eastern University)
Heremias Sison (University of Santo Tomas)
Jose De Guzman Far Eastern University)
Ronnie Zagala (Far Eastern University/PSBA)

WITHDREW

Jayjay Robles (Chemeketa Community College)
Donald Dulay (El Camino College)

SCRAPPED
Ricky Ricafuente (Technological Institute of the Philippines)
Ariel de Castro (National University)
James Laygo (Southwestern University)
Jerome Reyes (Mapua Institute of Technology)