TALENT dwindling in collegiate leagues?
That’s not far-fetched if poaching is not controlled in the NCAA and UAAP, according to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio.
“I think my concerns are the poaching happening in the collegiate level. Nangyari na po iyan sa Ateneo. Baka iyon po iyong magiging bigger issue, iyong losing collegiate players.
One particular case is SJ Belangel of Ateneo, he didn’t play his last year, he went to Korea,” Panlilio said in a recent Senate hearing.
“Of course, Dwight Ramos was supposed to play for Ateneo, but never did and went straight to Japan. Although I think Dwight for example has committed to the national program,” he added.
The likes of Dwight Ramos, brothers Javi and Juan Gomez de Liaño and Kobe Paras chose to bring their acts to the Japan B. League last year despite still being eligible to suit up for their college teams.
SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Justin Gutang, and Rhenz Abando followed suit this year in the Korean Basketball League.
Aside from the exodus of PBA stars such as Kiefer Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Matthew Wright, Greg Slaughter, Roosevelt Adams, and Jay Washington to overseas leagues, Panlilio expressed concern on the possibility of losing more amateur standouts.
“I’m just raising the issue because it’s not just the professional league that’s being poached, but also your collegiate leagues,” Panlilio, also the first vice president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, said.
“Now they play outside. Now, they see (Carl) Tamayo, they see (Kevin) Quiambao. That again might be an issue for us.”
