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    Short wait for rookie prospects as next PBA draft set in January

    By January, PBA will be welcoming a new batch of rookies
    Oct 4, 2020

    NEW blood looking to make the jump to the PBA won't have to wait long as the Rookie Draft has been pencilled in for January 2021.

    PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said there's no question that the professional league will welcome its new set of rookies following the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup.

    "Siguradong itutuloy natin yan, pero baka sa January na natin gawin 'yung drafting para sa Season 46," the congenial executive told Spin.ph.

    Among the potential headliners for the next draft proceedings are San Miguel Alab Pilipinas guard Jason Brickman, La Salle high-flyer Jamie Malonzo, and Philippines No. 1 3x3 player Joshua Munzon.

    La Salle center Justine Baltazar, Adamson shooter Jerrick Ahanmisi, and San Beda forward Calvin Oftana also merit strong consideration, but it depends if they choose to declare for the draft and forego their final playing years for their respective schools.

    The league is already working on a tight schedule, with the all-Filipino conference inside the Clark bubble expected to end on December 18 at the latest.

    Marcial, though, said the Board of Governors has continued to weigh its options for the next draft proceedings, with requirements for the applicants likely to be relaxed.

    Under old rules, its a prerequisite for players below the age of 28 to see action first in the league's developmental arm. Local-born players must play in at least seven games, while Fil-foreign talents are required to suit up for a total of 14 games in the PBA D-League's two conferences.

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    "Malamang tanggalin na muna natin yung requirement natin sa PBA D-League," said the commissioner.

    It's a game-changing development, certainly for the Fil-foreigners who no longer need to go through the PBA D-League before joining the draft.

    Marcial, though, said that the other eligibility requirements remain as is.

    Applicants must be 21 years old on the day of the draft proceedings and should be four years removed from their high school graduation.

    For the Fil-foreigners, they also have to secure documents from the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Immigration proving their Filipino citizenship.

    "Yung mga mag-a-apply sa atin na Fil-foreigners, mauuna ng isang buwan yung deadline nila para ma-check natin yung mga papers nila," said Marcial.

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      Players who have suited up for the Gilas Pilipinas national team and choose to submit their applications are automatically eligible to be selected.

      Columbian (now-Terrafirma) chose Isaac Go as the top overall pick in the 2019 PBA Draft, although he, along with special Gilas round draftees Rey Suerte, Allyn Bulanadi, and twins Matt and Mike Nieto, were all loaned to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to compose the national team cadets pool.

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        Roosevelt Adams, on the other hand, was chosen first by the Dyip in the first round of the regular draft.

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