POPULAR teen star Daniel Padilla denied on Monday that he intends to play for AMA University after the balllcub made him part of its protected list of players in the PBA D-League rookie draft on Monday.
While saying that playing in the PBA is one of his dreams, the 19-year-old Padilla said statements coming from the AMA camp that he will be joining the Titans in the coming PBA D-League Aspirants Cup are false.
“Siyempre po gusto ko maglaro for PBA pero hindi po totoo ang balita,” said Daniel in a brief text message to Spin.ph’s sister website Pep.ph through ABS-CBN”s talent management group Star Magic.
[See Matinee idol Daniel Padilla named to AMA Titans lineup in PBA D-League]
Padilla's statement runs contrary to those given by AMA coach Mark Herrera, who said the popular actor is enrolled at the university and is under contract to play for its teams.
In a separate interview with Spin.ph's Snow Badua, Herrera said top AMA officials have already talked to Padilla's mom and manager about the actor's stint with the Titans, though he admitted they have yet to get a go-signal from ABS-CBN where the teen star is under contract.
Padilla was the last player selected by the AMA Titans in the 15th round of the draft on Monday, even though the young actor didn’t need to file his application being part of the team's protected list - a right given to all school-based members of the league.
PBA D-League tournament director Eric Castro said Padilla is eligible to play for the Titans since he is enrolled in the university as an IT freshman.
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