THE long wait is over and Gabe Norwood and Jared Dillinger are sure to be made 1-2 by Rain or Shine (formerly Welcoat) and Talk N Text in the PBA Rookie Draft tomorrow at the Market! Market! in Taguig.

Norwood was given until the close of office hours yesterday to submit his Bureau of Immigration recognition and Department of Justice affirmation of his Filipino citizenship. However, the PBA ruled that the letter of Justice Sec. Raul Gonzales to the Department of Foreign Affairs on July 21, 2007 declaring Norwood to be a Filipino citizen on the basis of the Philippine citizenship of his mother was in substantial compliance with the league requirements.

"Since the DOJ contends that Norwood no longer needs the documents we required him to submit, its’ illogical on our part to insist on it," Barrios said.

The other six Fil-foreign applicants were required to submit additional supporting documents but Norwood was given consideration playing for the PBA-formed team that represented the country in the FIBA-Asia championship in Tokushima, Japan last year.

Dillinger has also been cleared after submitting the required documents yesterday.

Now the question is: What does Magnolia plan to do at No. 3?

That’s exactly what Beverage Masters coach Siot Tanquingcen is asking as of yesterday, still at a loss as he is on which player to choose from the widely perceived short list of talents that will be left after Norwood and Dillinger are gone.

"Maraming options at maraming pwedeng mangyari," said Tanquingcen after learning Norwood was officially given the green light to participate in the draft by no less than PBA Commissioner Renauld "Sonny" Barrios yesterday while Dillinger submitted the required documents from the BI and the DOJ yesterday noon.

Rain or Shine management is adamant in its stance it will tab Norwood at No. 1 while TNT is opting for Dillinger, another 6-foot-5 and also can play from the point guard position up to the small forward slot.

There’s one development within Magnolia that necessitates a very careful study of the remaining applicants and who to pick, however.

Two-time MVP Danny Ildefonso just underwent a foot operation in the US and the 6-foot-5 center-forward is sure to miss at least the first half of the season-opening Philippine Cup.

That means Magnolia can pass up on the likes of Solomon Mercado, a bulky 6’1 guard, and three-time PBL MVP Jayson Castro, another guard, for 6’6 center Rob Reyes.

"Reyes is one option," said Tanquingcen, "pero hindi naman p’wedeng basta saksakan ng rookie ang puwesto ni Danny I."

Magnolia has another first-round pick at No. 8 and there are other big men available, but Tanquingcen admitted that necessitates a more thorough study of their decision.

"As of now, we really haven’t made up our minds. Pagdating na siguro ng draft day mismo kami mag-de-decide" he said.