Former Ateneo star and dominating UAAP center Rabeh Al-Hussaini is clearly hoping he would be the No.1 pick in the PBA Annual Draft at Market, Market on August 29.

A report from the PBA said Rabeh who was released from the Smart Gilas national pool by coach Rajko Toroman was doing some stretching at the end of the court when he saw coach Allan Gregorio who was chatting with somebody a few meters away at the sideline. The former Ateneo star waved at Gregorio
then gestured pointing at himself.

The two used to work together with the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team where Gregorio is an assistant and Al-Hussaini, a former
member of the pool..

Gregorio was recently appointed team manager of Air 21, which holds the rights to the No. 1 overall draft pick. Apparently, Al-Hussaini was sounding off his former coach to pick him in the Draft.

Obviously, Al-Hussaini is not the only one aspiring to land a spot in Asia’s first pay-for-play league.

Sixty-plus other rookie candidates are scrambling for the few spots available and their only hope is to make a lasting impression as they showcase their playing skills in the next five days of the PBA Rookie Camp which opens at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City over the weekend.

Day 2 of the Camp features a double-header involving all the aspirants who were divided into four teams that will play a single round robin. The mini tournament will be capped by a “championship game” on August 26.

The first game scheduled at 9 a.m pits the Red Team of Claiford Arao, RJ Jazul and Jimbo Aquino against the Blue Team led by John Wilson while the Yellow Team, spearheded by Siverino Baclao and Elmer Espiritu, takes on the White Team of Al-Hussaini.

All games are free to the public.

The Camp officially started yesterday at the Club 650 Gym in Libis,
Quezon City during which the aspirants were made to undergo physical,
strength and shooting tests.

Only 63 of the 66 applicants showed up for Day 1 that drew several
observers, notably Smart Gilas Pilipinas coach Rajko Toroman.

Besides, Al-Hussaini the other bright prospects in the Draft set for
Aug. 29 at the Market! Market! Activity Center in Taguig City are
Aquino, best remembered for steering the Stags to a stunning 2-0 sweep
of the mighty San Beda Red Lions in last year’s NCAA championship
series, Jazul (the high scoring Letran guard), Wilson ( the 6-foot-3
wily Heavy Bomber guard who led JRU to the NCAA Final Four last year,
on his way to winning the season’s MVP award) and Baclao.