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Kelly Williams was at the second floor of Market! Market! with buddy and former professional player Rob Johnson minutes before the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft.
"I’m just trying to relax," he said with a ready smile while accommodating autograph-seekers.
The Sta. Lucia Realtors calmed him down quick, naming him as this year’s top overall pick and putting him in comforts of a brand new team jacket as thousands of spectators gathered above and around the Activity Center of the biggest mall in Taguig.
His proud Cebuana mother, the former Andrea Pasco, hugged him at the backstage after his name was called.
"It’s a big honor for me to be part of this draft and to play in the PBA soon," Williams said.
He quickly quashed reports that he wouldn’t sign up to a team other than San Miguel, saying that he’s excited to learn about the Realtors.
"I’m not quite familiar with them, but I hope to fit in and contribute right away," said Williams.
The 24-year-old from Detroit, Michigan can get a maximum P150,000 on the first year of his contract with a 50-percent increase on the succeeding years until he reaches the P350,000 ceiling.
Williams first caught the fancy of local basketball fans when he suited up and had immediate impact with a superstar-laden national team.
He proceeded to lead Magnolia to a championship in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), where he was named as the Finals MVP.
"We like his versatility. He can play the 2-5 positions with ease," said Sta. Lucia coach Alfrancis Chua. "They also said that he’s very coachable."
Chua said he made up his mind to pick Williams three days before the draft with the blessing of team manager Buddy Encarnado. The Realtors also got big man Mark Isip in the first round as the sixth overall pick and shooter Mark Magsumbol in the second round.
Arwind Santos, initially the apple of the eye of the Realtors, wound up with the Air21 Express as the second overall pick. "Getting Arwind at No. 2 is like getting him at No. 1," said Air21 coach Bo Perasol.
High-scoring guard Joseph Yeo was picked third overall by the Coca-Cola Tigers. He is one of six rookies selected in the draft by the rebuilding squad.
The Tigers got five in the second round – Ryan Rizada (12th), Manuel Caceres (14th), Chris Pacana (15th), Michael Gavino (16th) and Ronjay Enrile (17th).
Former Ateneo playmaker L.A. Tenorio, as expected, landed at the San Miguel Beermen as fourth pick. The Beermen also tapped former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) ROY/MVP Gabby Espinas at No. 5.
Three Letran Knights were chosen in the first round, Aaron Aban by the Alaska Aces at No. 7, Mark Andaya by the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals at No. 8, and Boyet Bautista by the Purefoods Chunkee Giants at No. 9.
The Giants also netted a topnotch guard in the second round in former University of the East Warrior Olan Omiping (20th).
Newcomer Welcoat Dragons exercised their first ever pick on former University of the Philippines slotman Abby Santos. Another former Maroon Jireh Ibaņez was the first choice of the Dragons in the second round.
The other players selected in the draft supported by X-treme Magic Sing, Popoy’s Grill, Ginebra San Miguel, Gatorade, Converese, Bros Burger and Magnolia were Christian Luanzon (Alaska) and Magnum Membrere (Red Bull).
The teams have until Friday to give a tender offer to the rookies they’ve drafted.
Posted by Robroy
on August 21 2006 10:46:00 ·
1 Comments ·
1291 Reads ·
Comments
daomingchuon August 21 2006 13:23:29
See Stein, like I said i was surprised if kelly really said that nga he will only play for SMB, turned out the rumors arent true and now is a realtors. He said it before that he is just happy he's in the draft. Wonder what chot has to say.
daomingchu 01/29/2010 22:27 ay lipat nako mag log in dri hehehe,fb abi hehe. didn't know last log in ko july 09,i thot it was longer than dat, like 2008 , b ko na cut mo na ni rob, cge pa kamo gle ni anhawan
anne 12/15/2009 19:35 good ..i told clint to visit our site...though it's not that active but we are still visiting the site wala lng galing ga log in..hehehehe..ADVANCE MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE....
Robroy 12/12/2009 10:09 Activated cintjavier's account. There's 40 spam users signed up in the site, i don't know who's the other legitimate users
daomingchu 07/13/2009 02:37 it's dat time of d year again! anothr summer day has come & gone away in paris or rome?..i wanna go home! C u soon mga amigos!
Robroy 04/09/2009 07:10 Belated happy birthday to all, hehehe.
daomingchu 02/23/2009 12:53 bilaited hapi birtdey kay erwin chu chu chu (echo...) feb 14.. bilaited happy valentine too
daomingchu 02/23/2009 12:51 bilaited hapi birtdey, nino anghelo gan gan gan (echo...) feb 20
anne 12/31/2008 16:04 Happy Brand New Year to all! Welcome 2009
daomingchu 12/31/2008 13:18 merry christmas and happy new year! "echo"...
daomingchu 11/09/2008 15:10 hapi bday to mr. roy sio
, b ko na cut mo na ni rob, cge pa kamo gle ni anhawan 
