THE PBA has appealed to the UAAP to allow its players to apply for the PBA Rookie Draft even if its collegiate basketball season is still in progress.
Commissioner Willie Marcial made the request in a letter to the UAAP Board of Directors coursed through Executive Director Rebo Saguisag, assuring that the PBA won't interfere with the players' collegiate careers even if drafted.
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The PBA is set to hold its annual draft on September 7 ahead of the start of its 50th season on October 5.
The UAAP's next season will start on September 19 and won't end until early December.
Unlike the NCAA which allows its players to enter the PBA draft in the middle of the season, the UAAP bars players from applying for the draft until the end of the season.
That has placed UAAP players with plans of entering the PBA draft in a tricky situation, often forced to 'lose almost a year' of playing in the pro league, Marcial said.
Among the UAAP stars who are expected to rank highly in PBA teams' draft targets are Dela Salle's Mike Phillips, UST guard Forthsky Padrigao and Nic Cabanero, UP Maroons Gerry Abadiano and Terrence Forthea, UE's John Abate, and Adamson Cedric Manzano.
La Salle's crack backcourt pair of Kean Baclaan and Jacob Cortez both have a year of UAAP eligibility left.
Marcial said allowing UAAP players to enter the draft then left to play out the collegiate season will be a 'win-win' for both sides.
Such a move, the commissioner said, "will encourage players to play their utmost in all their UAAP games knowing that their popularity and following in the UAAP will transfer to and benefit the PBA."
Conversely, Marcial said "the PBA and its teams are open to extend to UAAP draftees the support that they will need for them to compete at the highest level in the UAAP."
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