by Waylon Galvez
Give others the same opportunity which Greg Slaughter will enjoy when he joins Ginebra’s practice session tomorrow.
That, in essence, was the advise of top Ginebra official Robero Non to the team’s coaching staff headed by Ato Agustin.
By inviting other prospects, according to Non, the coaching will have better analysis when they make a decision in choosing the top overall pick in the PBA Rookie Draft on Nov. 3 at the Robinson’s Place in Ermita, Manila.
The outgoing chairman of the PBA Board of Governors said his staff should also invite other players, including former San Sebastian College standout Ian Sangalang, who is also worthy to be selected No. 1 overall.
The 7-foot Slaughter dropped by the Kings’ training at Green Meadows last Friday upon the invitation of team manager Alfrancis Chua, and was asked to join the practice session tomorrow.
Ginebra will pick No. 1 overall pick in the Draft, the first time the team will select first in 17 years, or since former Adamson University 6-foot-9 center Marlou Aquino was tabbed as the top pick of the team back in 1996 PBA Rookie Draft.
Slaughter arrived Thursday evening after a month-long training in the US in preparation for his first season in the pro league.
The 6-foot-7 Sangalang, on the other hand, won the NCAA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 2012 and was a key member of the Stags under Agustin that bagged the NCAA title in 2009 versus San Beda College.
FIL-AMS MAY PULL SURPRISES
James Forrester, a Filipino-American born and raised in Canada who owns a 41-inch vertical leap, could turn out to be a surprise first round pick in the Annual PBA Draft on Nov. 3 at Robinson’s Place in Ermita.
After seeing action for Arellano University in the NCAA, the son of Pampanga native, the former Letecia Parinas, has declared himself available for the pros and, most likely, be picked right in the first round like two other Fil-Am friends.
Forrester trained for one year with the IMG Academy in the United States before electing to pursue his PBA dream by suiting up with the Chiefs even as 6-foot-9 centers Isaac Holstein and Maika Usita also loom as good prospects.
Forester averaged 12.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and had a 37% three-point shooting clip while playing for Cagayan in the D-League, while Holstein led the D-League in blocks and played for Gilas Pilipinas in the Dubai Invitational in 2012.
With Greg Slaughter and Ian Sangalang expected to be picked first and second overall, respectively, and another big man in Raymond Almazan likely to wind up third, anything can happen for the rest of the first round with the three Fil-foreigners looming as worthy picks.
Former Ateneo star and UAAP Finals MVP Ryan Buenafe is also a good catch for any teams.