F2 Logistics and Petron beefed up their already deep roster after the third Philippine Superliga (PSL) Annual Rookie Draft held on Friday at the Music Hall Oval Venue of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
The Cargo Movers obtained the first overall pick from RC Cola-Army via trade and selected former University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Ara Galang of De La Salle while the reigning All-Filipino Conference champion Petron picked former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) MVP CJ Rosario of Arellano University as the second overall pick.
Galang provided the initial shock in the proceedings, as she was uncertain if she will join the draft, due to a nagging injury, but decided to join the other aspirants in the Draft Day.
“Happy and overwhelmed kasi sa dinami-rami ng nagpa-draft talagang privelege talagang maging first pick. I feel so blessed kasi maraming nagtitiwala sa akin,” Galang said. “Iniisip ko kung paano ko i-improve ‘yung sarili ko at kung ano ‘yung magiging contribution ko for the team and individually, papaano muna ako magpapakundisyon at maiangat ‘yung sarili ko.”
Galang will be reunited with her Lady Spikers Head Coach Ramil de Jesus and teammates who were directly hired by the squad, namely, Kim Fajardo, Mika Reyes, Kim Dy, Cyd Demecillo, Majoy Baron and Dawn Macandili. Former La Salle players Cha Cruz, Aby Maraño and Stephanie Mercado are also in the squad.
“I feel at home kasi parang La Salle pa rin ‘yung feeling kasi hindi na mawawala samin ‘yung Lasallian kasi it runs in our blood,” Galang added.
Rosario, the sister of Tropang TNT forward Troy Rosario, who was also a second overall pick in the Philippine Basketball Association, was also happy to be back with Petron.
“Sobrang happy ko. Hindi ako nakatulog pinag-pray ko talaga na sana mag-stay ako sa Petron,” Rosario said. “OK lang wala naman akong ine-expect na magta-top pick ako. Super saya ko na bumalik ako sa kanila.”
The 6-foot-1 middle hitter played for the Tri-Activ Spikers in the invitational conference and helped her team reached semifinals stage.
Amy’s Kitchen-Perpetual drafted Renelyn Raterte of Cebu as its third overall pick. Other draftees were Gen Casugod (Generika), Mary Grace Berte (Cignal), Danna Henson (Foton) and Jonah Sabete (Standard Insurance-Navy).
RC Cola-Army, surprisingly, didn’t draft any player the two-round draft.
“Over populated ‘yung team namin so kumbaga wala pang bakante,” Head Coach KungFu Reyes said. “May mga tao pa kaming naka-reserve na alam na ‘yung sistema ng team wala ng adjustments na gagawin.”
In the second round, F2 Logistics, Petron and Amy’s Kitchen-Perpetual passed, while Generika got Angelica Legacion, Cignal picked Marlene Lagoso, while Foton added Shirley Salamagos.