FOR Jason Brickman, it’s not too late to take his act to the PBA.
The Fil-Am guard disclosed he’ll declare for the Season 50 draft of Asia’s oldest professional league after years of missing out on the proceedings due to circumstances beyond his control.
“I’d like to enter the PBA, so I’m looking forward to the next draft, hope I can enter, and join the PBA,” said Brickman.
The 6-foot guard is back in the country four years after his planned foray into the PBA was aborted, joining Strong Group Athletics for its campaign in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship that kicks off this week.
READ Brickman, Rivero, Juan GDL among notable PBA draft absentees
Brickman was set to enter the draft back in 2021, but was ruled ineligible at the last minute after failing to submit necessary documents required for Fil-foreign players.
The following year he planned to apply for the draft anew and initially, was listed as part of the Meralco Bolts team for the inaugural PBA 3x3 tournament.
But with the uncertainly of the situation in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Brickman decided to pack his bags and accepted an offer to play in the T1 League in Taiwan.
He played for the Kaohsiung Aquas for almost four years in a contract that ended last December.
“I was not able to get out of my contract with a few more years left. Now that I’m out of my Taiwan contract, I’ll be able to join the PBA,” said Brickman, who had a lot of cousins and relatives on his mother side in Pangasinan.
The PBA’s decision to also relax its rules on required documents and age eligibility on Fil-foreign players also factored in his decision to go for another shot at playing in the league.
Under its new rules, the league already lifted the age limit of 30 years old for Fil-foreign player applicants, who also need just to present a Filipino passport to be eligible for the rookie draft.
Brickman, who previously suited up for Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League, is already 33 years old and carries a Filipino passport.
Brickman reunion with Charles
The native of San Antonio, Texas, who once led the US NCAA Division 1 in assists while playing for the LIU Sharks, said he feels great being back in the country after the pandemic and playing basketball again.
“It’s been a few years, but it’s always excited to come back and see the fans, my family. I’m just excited to play and represent the country,” said Brickman.
The veteran guard, who led the Aquas to a T1 League championship while being named twice as part of the Mythical Team and a two-time assist leader as well, is reunited with coach Charles Tiu at Strong Group.
Brickman previously played for Tiu at Mighty Sports from 2016 to 2020 and was part of the team that won the championship in the same Dubai tournament prior to the pandemic.
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