WILL Justine Baltazar beat the deadline of applications for the PBA Rookie Draft?
That's the question that will be answered as the pro league closes its doors for entrants to the annual rookie proceedings on Wednesday.
It has been over a month since the PBA started accepting application forms for aspirants as it welcomes fresh talent come the March 14 event.
Still, Baltazar, the promising 6-foot-8 Kapampangan center from La Salle has yet to put his name in the list.
There are scouts and coaches who see the Mabalacat native getting picked first overall, although the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is poised to tap him in the special Gilas round, ensuring that the 23-year-old will continue to play for the national team and be part of its youthful core before he formally begins his PBA career.
Of course, all of that can only come true if Baltazar and his handlers Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda and Alan Trinidad decide that it's for the best for him to forgo his last playing year with the Green Archers and embark on a new basketball journey.
It's not just him, though, as the pros beckon for collegiate players who only have one year left in their eligibility.
The uncertainty of when the collegiate leagues will return with surely factor in with their decision making, which further makes the idea of taking the leap to the PBA even more appealing.
The growing list has now ballooned to 90 as of Tuesday, with Gilas pool member and NCAA MVP Calvin Oftana of San Beda and Adamson shooter Jerrick Ahanmisi among those who passed their documents on the penultimate day of application.
After the deadline, the PBA will begin its screening for Fil-foreign entrants, securing that they have submitted all the necessary documents pertaining to their Filipino citizenship before being included in the final list of applicants.
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