Purefoods admitted yesterday that it has learned a valuable lesson in drafting: That it will never try to bring in talent to the draft pool unless it is picking first. Pure Foods coach Eric Altamirano voiced this sentiment after admitting that the team has lost its "find" - 6-foot-6 Fil-American Nicholas Velasco - to Sunkist. Sunkist has the number 2 pick in the Philippine Basketball Association draft behind Mobiline. Pure Foods will pick fifth behind Sta. Lucia Realty and Shell. "Next time we will make sure that if we discover someone we will have the first pick" said Altamirano in yesterday's PSA Forum. Sunkist had announced last Monday that it will pick Velasco despite the objections of Pure Foods who claimed it had a lock on the cager whom it said it scouted in America.

"Sunkist definitely has the right to get him (Velasco), since they have a higher pick (in the rookie draft)" conceded Altamirano. Altamirano recalled that he was the one who discovered Velasco when he accompanied Alvin Patrimonio to the United States for a knee check-up last June. When Sunkist heard of Velasco, a meeting was arranged between the Fil-American cager and RFM chairman Joey Concepcion who was then vacationing in the United States.

It was during this meeting that Velasco reportedly signified his intention to play for Sunkist. Elmer Yanga, Sunkist team manager, said his team never violated any rule regarding the Velasco issue saying there's no such thing as "finders' keepers" rule in the PBA. "Even (Shell coach) Chito Narvasa told me that if Velasco were available when Shell's turn comes he would pick Velasco" Yanga said. "Magaling talaga," gushed Altamirano. "Malaki sana ang mai-itutulong niya (Velasco) sa team." With Velasco gone, Altamirano aid he is now setting his sights on Gabby Cui, another Fil-American.

Unlike Andrew Seigle, whom Mobiline is picking in the first round, and Velasco, the 6-5 Cui is no stranger to Philippine basketball. He played one year for Ateneo. Altamirano said that there are more talented Fil-American cagers waiting to be tapped but he vowed that he would make it a point that "Pure Foods would have the first overall pick" before discovering another Fil-Am talent. -NOEL RODRIGUEZ

PBA rookie camp a dud.