http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/sports/12854-giants-yet-to-decide-who-to-pick-\
at-no-2.html

Giants yet to decide who to pick at No.2

Written by Joel Orellana / Reporter
Tuesday, 07 July 2009 22:58

IT'S obvious that Burger King would pick Japeth Aguilar in the Rookie Draft if
the tall forward signs up.

Now, who'll be No. 2?

Purefoods Tender Juicy's management and coaching staff are now torn between
Filipino-American point guard Chris Ross and versatile forward Rico Maierhofer
for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft on August 2.

"It's really hard to name somebody on top of my head this time, but definitely,
Maierhofer, Ross and possibly Jervy Cruz will be there," said Purefoods head
coach Ryan Gregorio.

"But it still depends on what we need. We have seven or eight players with
expiring contracts and we will see who are those who we are going to sign up,"
he added.

Ross is a six-foot-one point guard who led Pharex to its first finals stint in
the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), where he also won the Most Valuable
Player award.

Maierhofer, meanwhile, is a strong wing defender at six-foot-four, and the
former De La Salle standout could be a good fit to the team.

But given the opportunity, Purefoods wants to have both players in its team to
infuse young blood to the roster.

According to Purefoods team governor Rene Pardo, there are negotiations going
on, including a possible trade with Burger King for the No. 3 pick in the first
round.

"We have the No. 2 pick so getting the No.3 pick of Burger King is not so
attractive to me," said Pardo. "But looking at the team's needs, anything is
still possible. We just have to sit down with the management and coaching staff
regarding the composition of the team."

The Giants have eight players with expiring contracts and some of them could be
used as trade baits to get the needed pieces and make the team formidable again
in the All-Filipino tournament next season.
___________

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/166807/Maierhofer-Ross-likely-candidates-as-Purefood\
s-draft-pick

Maierhofer, Ross likely candidates as Purefoods' draft pick
07/07/2009 | 07:45 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Purefoods seeks to bolster its lineup and looking at the
prospects from the amateur ranks, coach Ryan Gregorio could name two likely
candidates for its No. 2 pick in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)
Annual Rookie Draft.

With hot draftee Japeth Aguilar expected to be tabbed No. 1 overall by Burger
King, the Giants are considering Rico Maierhofer or Fil-Am Chris Ross for their
choice. A third prospect - Jervy Cruz - is also on Gregorio's radar.

"It's really hard to make a choice, but definitely there's Maeirhofer, Ross and
possibly Jervy Cruz will be there," Gregorio said.

"But it still depends on what we need. We have seven players with expiring
contracts and we will see whom we're going to sign up (again)," he added.

The 6-4 Maiefhofer is a prototype of a do-it-all swingman, who can provide
energy on any team. The Giants are in need of an intense defender and rebounder
after they were forced to ship Marc Pingris to San Miguel last year and
Maierhofer can fill in that void.

Ross, on the other hand, is a versatile 6-0 guard. The Most Valuable Player of
the recent Philippine Basketball League while playing for Pharex, Ross could
provide some stability to Purefoods' backcourt rotation.

Seeking another first-round pick?

Aside from making use of its No. 2 pick, Purefoods is exploring different
options to improve its lineup, including a possible trade in order to get
another first-round pick.

"Maraming ongoing negotiations involving other teams pero nothing has been
finalized. But looking at the team's needs, anything is still possible. We just
have to sit down with the coaching staff regarding the composition of the team,"
Purefoods governor Rene Pardo said.

The Giants' roster this season is actually talent-laden with Gregorio describing
it as the most talented he's handled in five years with the team. Still,
Purefoods failed to make it to the semifinals of the ongoing Fiesta Conference,
losing to upstart Rain or Shine.

"Talent alone is not enough to win games. Players must know their roles on the
team. Otherwise, we will not succeed," Gregorio said. – GMANews.TV