The 2023 PBA Rookie Draft is around the bend, and a deluge of applicants is expected a few days before the deadline for submission of applications from locals and Fil-Foreigners at 5 p.m. on Sept. 10 at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City.

A new league policy as approved by the PBA board of governors in a meeting on May 26, will be implemented in this draft where Terrafirma is No. 1 in the draft order.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial described as “very welcoming” the revised rules, including the lifting of the age limit of 30 years old for Fil-foreign players.

The uniform rule now is that a draft applicant, whether local or Fil-Foreign, is eligible if he is 22 years old and above or at least 19 but has completed at least two years of college.

Another rule is that a draft applicant must have studied and played in collegiate leagues in the country before playing in a professional league overseas, regardless of age, provided that he joins the PBA draft within the third year of his eligibility. 

However, if the applicant decides to join the draft in the fourth or fifth year of his eligibility after playing in a pro league overseas, he will have to go through a special computer generated lottery among the 12 teams.

An applicant who has played abroad and joined the draft in the sixth year of his eligibility or more, his application is subject to conditions and approval of the Board.

Here’s the draft order for the first round, adjusted to reflect trades:  No. 1 Terrafirma, No. 2 Blackwater, No. 3 Rain or Shine, No. 4 Rain or Shine (from Phoenix), No. 5 NorthPort, No. 6 Phoenix (from NLEX), No. 7 NLEX (from Converge), No. 8 Meralco, No. 9 Converge (from Blackwater and TNT), No. 10 Converge (from Magnolia), No. 11 NorthPort (from Ginebra) and No. 12 Terrafirma (from San Miguel Beer).  Terrafirma, Rain or Shine, Converge and NorthPort will pick twice in the first round.  San Miguel, Ginebra, Magnolia and TNT are without first round picks.