THE No. 1 pick in the PBA Rookie Draft can no longer be traded in his first two full seasons in the league, according to a new rule by the league.
The PBA board approved the new rule in a meeting earlier this month. Teams have already been informed of the rule through a memorandum, according to a source.
READ Who can stop Terrafirma from giving away prized picks?
Geo Chiu will be the first top pick overall to be covered by the new rule after being selected No. 1 by Terrafirma during the Season 50 draft.
Under the rule, Chiu will stay with Terrafirma for the 50th and 51st seasons as he is not eligible to be traded by Dyip even during midseason of the covered periods.
The new rule comes after a couple of No. 1 picks that were traded over the past few years sparked an uproar among fans.
The latest was Stephen Holt, drafted by Terrafirma for the 48th season, but traded prior to the 49th season to Barangay Ginebra.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser was picked No. 1 by Blackwater during the 47th season on May 2022 but was later moved to NLEX four months after the draft.
Joshua Munzon was also moved by Terrafirma midway through his second season with the squad to NorthPort after being selected by the Dyip in the Season 46 draft in 2021.
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