CALL it another try—or his last shot at playing in the PBA.
Fil-Am playmaker Jason Brickman said he will join this year’s pro league Draft nearly four years after a failed try.
“I think the goal is to enter the PBA. I’m looking forward to the next Draft. Hopefully, I can enter and join the PBA,” the 6-foot Brickman said.
“When they changed the rules to allow just the passport, I would be able to join. Unfortunately, I was just on a contract in Taiwan. Now that I’m out of the contract, I should be able to join the next PBA (Draft),” he added.
Brickman, 33, is in the country to beef up the Strong Group Athletics in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championships set for Jan. 24 to Feb. 2.
Brickman applied for the annual proceedings in 2021 but was ruled ineligible at the last minute after failing to submit the necessary documents required for Fil-foreign hopefuls.
He planned to re-apply anew the following year but with the uncertainly of the situation in the country due to the vicious COVID-19 pandemic, Brickman opted to bring his act to the T1 League in Taiwan.
An LIU Brooklyn product who is one of four players in the US NCAA Division I to total 1,000 assists, he saw action for the Kaohsiung Aquas for almost four years, his sting ending last December.
“It feels great. The last time I was here was during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been a few years,” Brickman said. “I’m always excited to come back and see all the fans, my family and I’m just excited to get to play in front of the country.”
Brickman also relishes playing for SGA coach Charles Tiu whom he played for under Mighty Sports from 2016 to 2020.
“It’s always great to play for coach Charles. We’ve played like five tournaments with him so far. Always have a great group of guys. He does a great job of bringing everybody together so I’m excited for this tournament to go,” he said.
“I think we’re excited. We’re excited to all play together. I think we have a really talented team. Just a great vibe going into the tournament. We’re all looking forward to this good vibe in the tournament.”