Cruz, Menor PBA Draft Early Birds
By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:57:00 06/06/2009
MANILA, Philippines - Two former collegiate stars have made themselves available for the PBA Rookie Draft on Aug. 2.
Jervy Cruz, the 2007 UAAP Most Valuable Player from the University of Santo Tomas, and former San Beda star Ogie Menor are among the first batch of applicants to the draft, along with Filipino-American Lance Convento.
The information was relayed to the Inquirer by the three players’ agent, Charlie Dy.
The 6-foot-4 Cruz, who can play center or power forward, boosted his stock when he spearheaded UST’s improbable run to the 2006 UAAP crown.
Inside scoring and rebounding have been the strong points of Cruz’s game. He averaged close to 20 points and 14 rebounds with the Tigers last season.
The 6-2 Menor was an integral part of the Red Lions’ three straight titles, winning the Finals MVP award in 2006.
He quit the Lions in March, citing pressure from school officials for him to join the RP Developmental Team that would have ruled him out of the draft.
Former La Salle forward Rico Maierhofer, ex-University of the East guard Marcy Arellano, former UST swingman Francis Allera and Fil-Ams Josh Vanlandingham and Kevyn White are expected to submit their applications in the next few weeks, said Dy, who also handles the career of the five players.
The league has set a June 22 deadline for players with foreign lineage to submit their applications, while homegrown players have until July 24, said PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios.