ROBERT Bolick said he is happy for fellow Filipino players abroad following the decision of the PBA to lift the sit-out period for those who intend to either return to the league or apply for the rookie draft.
Bolick said he feels fortunate that he could return to the PBA without facing any sanctions from the league after signing with the Fukushima Firebirds in the Japan B.League second division.
But Bolick said the early batch of Filipino overseas-based players who made the jump abroad will benefit the most from the new rule.
READ: Bolick says Japan move not about the money
“Isa din ‘yan sa pinag-isipan ko,” said Bolick, referring to the old PBA rules, in which a returning player faces a two- or three-year sitout period but remains a restricted free agent.
“At the end of the day, ma-suwerte pa ako,” said Bolick.
On the other hand, overseas-based players such as Dwight Ramos, Thirdy Ravena, Rhenz Abando, RJ Abarrientos, and SJ Belangel were previously covered by the old rule that called for a sit-out period of fifive years before they can apply for the PBA draft.
Now, they can apply for the draft within a three-year period without any pre-conditions, or be placed in a special lottery beyond that.
“Masaya ako para sa iba. Sila talaga ‘yung nag-isip ng ganun. Sila talaga ‘yung tatamaan keysa sa akin. Alam ko na pagbalik ko, welcome ako,” said Bolick.
Bolick said he never felt any opposition from the PBA and NorthPort leadership about his move to Japan, and he thinks that those sentiments are the same for other overseas-based players.
“Ang akin lang diyan, ‘yung mga sinasabi nila nagalit sila. Hindi naman sila ganun. Mababait naman sila, sila Comm, [board of governors],” said Bolick.
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