Jan 20, 2022

Adjustment for 2022 draft date necessary

THE Philippine Basketball Association is not in a hurry to hold the next Rookie Draft, especially with the Season 46 Governors' Cup stalled by the latest COVID-19 surge.

Adjustment in the Governors' Cup schedule will necessitate adjustment for Season 47 drafting exercise.

There are inquiries from player agents and from players themselves but the PBA has yet to open draft application.

"May mga nagsasabi na sa akin na mga managers, players from collegiate kung paano ba raw. Baka mai-usog namin dahil hindi pa rin kami tumatanggap ng mga application," said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial of the 2022 draft.

Marcial hinted it would depend on the completion of the Governors' Cup.

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"Sa mga pangyayari ngayon, kung magsisimula tayo ng last week or first week ng February, aabutin tayo ng mga second week of April," said Marcial. "So, ia-adjust natin. Baka last week of April or first week ng May ang drafting natin."

The fate of the Governors' Cup would be known as members of the league board sit down in a meeting next week.

"Diyan natin malalaman kung saan ang patutunguhan ng PBA," said Marcial. "Tutuloy ba natin o hindi na itutuloy? Anong gagawin sa imports at sa players? By next week, siguro mas maliwanag kung saan tayo pupunta."

The fate of the 2022 draft could also be clearer by then.

If ever, that would be the second draft exercise in the pandemic era, following the 2021 event held March 14 in a virtual setup, heralding the entry of an elite bunch bannered by Joshua Munzon, Jamie Malonzo, Calvin Oftana and Mikey Williams.

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It also included special Gilas draftees Jordan Heading, Williams Navarro, Tzaddy Rangel and Jaydee Tungcab. (SB)