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| Sorry. No Mike Phillips in this year's PBA Draft. Richard Esguerra (file photo) |
MANILA--The UAAP confirmed on Wednesday that it is deferring the PBA's proposal to let the collegiate league's graduating players enter the draft even if the collegiate league's 88th season is not yet starting.
Fr. Rodel Cansancio, the UAAP president for Season 88, said that the league is still studying PBA commissioner Willie Marcial's proposal, which was only revealed last week, with the deadline for draft application drawing near.
"We understand yung intent ng PBA. We appreciate their support for our student-athletes, and the board discussed about the request coming from the PBA. You know, this is a policy issue that has an effect on other sports, so once we decide something about this request, it has an effect on other sports. Medyo short lang din yung time nila na binigay sa amin, so we need time to discuss more about this proposal moving forward," Cansancio said during the Season 88 launch inside the University of Santo Tomas campus.
Executive director Rebo Saguisag added, "We know the merit and advantages it will grant the athletes. However, when you make a decision, it's not for a single sport. It's for the whole sporting program of all events, so may implication siya. Hindi siya basta-basta, so we had to politely decline. Di namin mapagbibigyan yung request na magpa-draft yung player in the midst or actually even before the basketball season begins."
With that said, graduating players like Mike Phillips and Forthsky Padrigao, should they decide to use their remaining playing year in the amateur ranks, will remain ineligible for the Sept. 7 PBA Draft at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay, even if the UAAP men's basketball tournament will only begin on Sept. 20.
However, if they opt to turn pro, they only have until Friday to submit their draft application at the cost of losing what is left in their UAAP playing eligibility.
"They're free to get drafted. It's their choice, but they have to make a choice if they will forgo their eligibility. Wala kaming binabawalan. It's just that our rule right now: join the draft, you forgo your eligibility," Saguisag added.
Despite the setback on the PBA's end, Saguisag further said that the UAAP is committed to deeply studying the pro league's proposal and how it could have a ripple effect on the other major play-for-pay events like the PVL, PFL, MPBL, NBL, PSL, and MPL Philippines.
If approved, the proposed amendment to the UAAP student-athletes' eligibility for the PBA Draft could only take effect as early as UAAP Season 89 next year, whose basketball season could coincide with the 2026 PBA Draft.
Marcial assured the UAAP that the PBA will let the drafted players finish their college eligibility before joining the pro league, just like its set-up with the NCAA.
While not as stacked as the previous two editions, this year's PBA Draft, even without the graduating UAAP stars, remains oozing with talent with the likes of Juan Gomez De Liano, Jason Brickman, and Dalph Panopio among the headliners.
