WITH the PBA eyeing to resume its stalled Governors Cup next month, the annual draft would likely be pushed back to April or May, according to Commissioner Willie Marcial.
“Sa mga pangyayari ngayon, kung magsisimula tayo ng last week or first week ng February, aabutin tayo ng mga second week of April,” Marcial said last Tuesday in the online Philippine Sportswriters Association forum.
“So, i-a-adjust natin. Baka last week of April or first week ng May ang drafting natin,” he added.
The draft was initially set for March this year, but an overlap in the schedule is expected since the season-ending tourney could likely reopen in early or late February.
The hardworking pro league chief said there have been inquiries from amateur players on when and how the draft will be held.
“May mga nagsasabi na sa akin na mga managers, players from collegiate kung paano ba raw,” Marcial said in the public sports program presented by San Miguel Corp., Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, PAGCOR, Unilever, and social media and webcast partner Prime Edge Marketing Consultancy.
“Kaya baka mai-usog namin dahil hindi pa rin kami tumatanggap ng mga application.”
Marcial said there are also ongoing talks on the possible return of the D-League.
“Maganda ang usapan namin. Pati sa mga bagay tulad ng kung kailan ang ating draft.
Sinabi namin siguro by April, baka early May,” he said.
“Inaasahan din nila iyong D-League pagkatapos ng kanilang season. Kasi malaking bagay daw sa training nila. Nagsisimula tayo pagkatapos ng collegiate tournaments, ‘di ba? So, pagkatapos noon, siguradong may D-League tayo.”
Four highly touted Fil-foreigners in Jason Brickman, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Jeremiah Gray, and Taylor Statham failed to submit their Department of Justice affirmations and Bureau of Immigration certifications.
Tyrus Hill, John Paul Gulfo, and Christopher Cancio were the other Fil-foreigners who did not complete their requirements.
This year’s draft is expected to be stacked following the league Board’s decision to finally relax the previous stringent requirements among Fil-foreign hopefuls.
