FORMER Arellano University star CJ Rosario shone brightest during the first Philippine Superliga (PSL) Rookie Camp held Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan.
Rosario, a former NCAA MVP and consensus top overall pick, showcased her star potential in acing the four-hour workout that served as the hopefuls' litmus test before the PSL Annual Rookie Draft on Friday at the 3rd floor lobby of SM Aura.
She led 19 other rookie hopefuls in a round of drills, anthropometric measurements and scrimmage with the PSL All-Stars led by Cha Cruz and Aby Marano of F2 Logistics, Maika Ortiz and Rhea Dimaculangan of Foton, and Jen Reyes and Mina Aganon of Petron.
Another big name in former UAAP MVP Ara Galang also showed up, but she remains doubtful in joining the draft as she’s still ironing some details on her eligibility.
Other notables were Mary Grace Berte of Holy Cross of Davao, Shirley Salamagos, Danna Henson and Angel Legacion of Arellano, Asi Soliven of National University and Marlyn Llagoso and Jerra Mae Pacino of Southwestern University in Cebu.
But the spotlight undoubtedly belonged to Rosario.
“I think she’s ready for the big league,” said camp director Sammy Acaylar of Cignal referring to the 6-foot-1 Rosario, whose older brother, Troy, was drafted second in the recent Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft.
“She’s the consensus top overall pick. Everybody wants to draft her. Personally, I also want her for my team. But I will be picking sixth pa so medyo malabo. Whoever drafts her will be very lucky. She’s the middle blocker of the future,” he added.
Rosario said she’s tempering her expectations, knowing that coaches and team executives are studying carefully their choices before making the pick.
“Hindi naman ako nag-e-expect kasi mahirap masaktan,” said the 21-year old middle blocker from Cagayan who suited up for Petron during the pre-season.
“Okay lang kahit anong posisyon sa draft. Kung papalarin, gusto ko sana mag-stay sa Petron. Pero if ever, kahit anong team, okay lang sa akin,” she added.
Aside from Acaylar, also present during the workout were Kungfu Reyes of RC Cola-Army, George Pascua of Petron, Francis Vicente of Generika, Ramil de Jesus of F2 Logistics, Nene Ybanez of Standard Insurance-Navy, Ken Moleno of Perpetual and Don Dulay of Foton.
The Lady Troopers will be picking first followed by Generika, Perpetual, Standard Insurance-Navy, F2 Logistics, Cignal, Petron and Foton.
“Sobrang nakakakaba,” Rosario said. “Seryoso sa pagpapalakas ang mga teams. Lahat sila gustong manalo. Sobrang taas ng expectations nila sa mga incoming rookies na tulad namin.”