TWO Filipino-Americans made themselves available for the coming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft on the eve of the deadline for the submission of application for Filipino-foreign players lapsed.

Harbour Centre playmaker Solomon Mercado and former Batang Pier center Rob Reyes submitted their applications to the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City, through their agent Charlie Dy.

The 24-year-old Mercado played varsity for Biola University in Los Angeles before helping Harbour Centre to a title run last season while Reyes, who applied in 2006 but failed to secure the needed requirements, attended Flagler University.

Both Mercado and Reyes are expected to be picked in the first round and one of them might go early as the camp of Filipino-American sensation Gabe Norwood remained mum about his intention to turn pro.

Norwood, the six-foot-five guard from George Mason University, has yet to apply and it seemed that the Hapee Toothpaste star might miss today’s deadline.

Norwood’s absence in the 2008 Draft, to be held on August 31 at Market! Market!, could make this year’s batch shallow compared with previous years.

Filipino-German Kevin Dalafu was also in the pool, but the six-foot-two guard from Vanguard University was hardly impressive during his stint with San Mig Coffee in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL).

One Filipino-American who might add extra glitter in the draft is Jared Dillinger, the six-foot-five shooting guard from University of Hawaii.

The South Dakota-born Dillinger is currently playing for the Pampanga Buddies in the Liga Pilipinas and if reports are true, Welcoat Paints, the team that will pick again first in the draft, might make him this year’s top pick.

But the handlers of Dillinger has less than 24 hours to comply with the requirements, including the affirmation from the Department of Justice and certification from the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation.

Only a handful of top local amateur players are already in the draft, led by Mark Borboran, Jonathan Fernandez, TY Tang, Kelvin Gregorio and Cholo Villanueva. The deadline for local-born players is on August 12.

Unconquerable Will

WIMBLEDON, England—With darkness fast encroaching on Centre Court at 9:16 p.m. Wimbledon time Sunday and all manner of doubt hanging in the air, a 22-year-old human blast furnace from the Spanish island of Mallorca suddenly splayed on the grass behind the baseline and made his first attempts at comprehension.

Rugby boys are potent

THE Philippine Rugby team got off to a strong start and coasted to an even powerful finish to beat host Guam, 20-8, and rule the HSBC Asian Five Nations International Rugby Regional Tournament over the weekend at the Wettengel Rugby Field in the tiny US territory.

Ahem, business writers can be ‘olympians,’ too

WHEN business reporters gather for what has been dubbed as the EJAP Olympics 2008, you can be sure that there will only be lots of insults playfully flung and riotous laughter. And, well, also a few flaring tempers, albeit temporarily, which I shall politely ascribe to, ahem, heat exhaustion, and not due to the particpants’ overly competitive streak.

JOSE Rizal University (JRU) came up with the big plays down the stretch to repulse College of Saint Benilde (CSB), 75-67, and finally barge into the win column after three attempts in the 84th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

UAAP news: Stricter this time

THE technical committee of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) made its presence felt early in Season 71 when it told the referees to slap technical fouls on the De La Salle and Ateneo coaching staff Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Fil-Am from Harbour joins Draft

TWO Filipino-Americans made themselves available for the coming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft on the eve of the deadline for the submission of application for Filipino-foreign players lapsed.

Tough Turf: Don Enrico’s sweet revenge

THE local racing world has to wait for another and hope for a new three-year-old who could sweep the Triple Crown Championship Series.