The PBA will allow Fil-foreign applicants until March 5 to complete necessary requirements in order to be eligible for the annual Rookie Draft.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the decision came after the league’s Board of Governors took into consideration the difficulty of several Fil-foreigners in securing proper documents due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Marcial, however, clarified that only those who beat Wednesday’s deadline are allowed in the extension.
“May mga nabalitaan ako na porket nasa US sila at nakapunta dito dahil nagka-COVID at nag-pasko at pati na rin sa mga sulat galing sa inyo (media) kaya nag-request ako sa mga governors na i-extend hanggang March 5,” said Marcial told reporters through Zoom following Thursday’s board meeting at the PBA Office in Libis.
Eighteen out of the 31 players, Marcial said, will need to process a certification from the Bureau of Immigration and an affirmation from the Department of Justice in order to be eligible for the draft.
The most prominent is point guard Jason Brickman, who many see as one of the best players in the draft.
Brickman’s agent Charlie Dy said earlier this month that the former ASEAN Basketball League star may not be able to complete the requirements by the time the deadline passes due to difficulty securing the BI and DOJ documents.
It’s also the same case for Dy’s other clients, namely Brandon Rosser and Jeremiah Gray.