Don’t be surprised if all existing PBA teams protect as much as 13 players ahead of the July 18 dispersal draft for newcomers Kia Motors and Blackwater Sports.
PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial clarified to Spin.ph on Friday that the 'Protect 12' scheme initially agreed upon by the board for the dispersal draft has since been re-adjusted and made flexible to the 10 current teams.
As a result, the ballclubs have been given the option to protect as much as 13 players from the dispersal pool. They can even protect only 10 players if they so please, Marcial added.
“May ibang teams kasi tig-14 lang ang players nila. So kung gagawin mong protect 12 sila, walang matitira sa team nila,” said Marcial while explaining the finalized agreement in the board.
“Hindi naman kasi talaga protect 12 yan eh. Ang talagang usapan dyan, may ibang teams protect 12, may iba protect 13. Nasa mga teams na nga kung magpo-protect 10 pa sila."
Marcial, also a special assistant to Commissioner Chito Salud, said the two expansion teams have been properly informed about the procedure last month.
“It has always been an open option for the teams to choose 12 or 13," said Marcial. “Nasabi na namin sa mga expansion teams 'yan nung June 5 pa eh.”
Blackwater Sports team owner Dioceldo Sy confirmed the development to Spin.ph.
“Nasabi nga sa akin yun dati. Kaya nga medyo nalungkot ako. Sabi ko na lang sa coaching staff ko, tiyagaan na lang. Wala naman kaming magagawa eh,” said the Ever Bilena Cosmetics president.
Sy bared that he is still not losing hope that he will find quality talents in the dispersal draft, which will take place at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City on July 18.
“Siguro, isa o dalawa hanggang limang quality players may makukuha ako dyan. Pero sabi ko nga sa coaching staff ko, didiskertehan na lang namin kung paano kami makakabuo ng team na competitive for next season,” he said.
Sy is also looking forward to the final months ahead of the 2014-2015 season when teams leave some players unsigned.
“Isang nakikita ko na maganda is by September, first week, dun kami talaga mag-step up sa pagbuo ng team. By that time, nakapag draft na mga teams tapos may mga players na silang ibababa sa unrestricted nila.”
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