MANILA, 18 August 2007 — Gabe Norwood, after just two international tournaments for the Philippine Team, is being felt in the PBA — a year or so before he makes the jump to the pros.
The 6-foot-5 Fil-American guard, a cinch to be drafted first overall when he declares his intent before the start of next season, seems to be a most valuable commodity that teams have started jockeying to gain the rights to him.
And Welcoat coach Leo Austria is the one having all the problems.
Austria is entertaining offers at this point for the Dragons’ first round pick — not for tomorrow’s Rookie Draft, but for next year because most everyone sees Welcoat to be in the doldrums again in the coming PBA Season.
And that right could turn out to be the ultra-talented Norwood .
Welcoat, as Austria told Arab News yesterday, is getting offers from at least three teams for several marquee big men in exchange for the Dragons’ first round pick next year.
“They (teams) think that we will still own the first pick next year for finishing last again this year,” Austria said. “Let’s just keep the identities of the players (being offered) a secret for now.
“But they are all marquee names, quality big men.” Austria admitted his dire need for a big man, that’s why he said that Welcoat will pick either 6-foot-9 Samigue Eman or Fil-American center Joe Devance first overall in the rookie proceedings tomorrow.
“What we are after is a respectable finish (in our second PBA season),” Austria said. “If we can get that this year, we would agree with the trade, because we won’t be gaining the No. 1 pick next year if we do that.” Welcoat finished dead last in the two tournaments last year, hence the No. 1 pick in the Draft. And that’s what those three teams are expecting to happen again.
But Austria seems to disagree, most especially if the Dragons can beef up using the trade, the No. 1 pick and some wheeling and dealing in the off-season to acquire at least five reliable players.
“I would be willing to gamble on giving up our first round pick for next year if we can get the players that we want,” Austria said. “Even if it turns out to be Norwood .” Norwood, the former George Mason University standout in the United States NCAA Division I, has gone back to the States for a brief vacation after his Philippine Team stint.
He will be back in time for the commercial PBL’s opening early next month. Reports have said that he will be signed up by Magnolia for two tournaments before joining the PBA next season.
San Miguel chooses second and the Beermen, as interim coach Siot Tanquingcen said, are also going to go for whoever between Eman and Devance is not tapped by Welcoat.
Sta. Lucia owns the third choice and the Realtors are keeping their cards close to their chest, though there are reports that coach Boyet Fernandez would opt for Fil-American guard Ryan Reyes.
“Marlou (Aquino) and Dennis (Espino) are both playing exceptionally well in practice,” Fernandez said. “If we would go for a big man, then he will only turn out to be their (Espino and Aquino’s) backup. We’re keeping our options open.” Coca-Cola has the No. 4 choice, Air21 the fifth overall selection, before Alaska uses the next two selections. The Express again pick eight before San Miguel and Air21 again. Purefoods, Talk ‘N Text and Barangay Ginebra all don’t have first round rights, having dealt them away in various trades the last two seasons.
