31 May 2016

Ravena, Belo and Tolomia May Skip PBA Draft

Gilas Cadets
There is good news going to the national basketball team program, but definitely bad news for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Draft.

Outgoing Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Manuel V. Pangilinan has just confirmed to InterAksyon.com that plans have been set for the members of the Gilas Pilipinas cadet program. This plan would mean that they will participate in the future FIBA competition and skip the PBA Draft this coming October.

"We have at least 14 names for the Gilas cadets. We’ve spoken to all of them. All of them have consented. So we're finalizing the documentation for them," Pangilinan told InterAksyon.com in an interview at the PLDT office last 30 May.

MVP confirmed that former Ateneo star Kiefer Ravena is part of the program as are several members of the SEABA Stankovic Cup champion team, like Mac Belo, Mike Tolomia and Jio Jalalon.

"I believe Kiefer is in the cadet program. Of course, the strong players from FEU – Mac Belo, (RR) Pogoy, Tolomia, I believe, (Russell) Escoto. Von Pessumal is there as well. I think Jalalon is in there."

He also added that the players have agreed not to join the 2016 PBA Draft to ensure their availability for the FIBA competitions next year.

"I believe so," Pangilinan said.

At present, the first round of the drafting order goes like this: (1)Mahindra Enforcer; (2) Blackwater Elite; (3) Barangay Ginebra San Miguel; (4) Phoenix Fuel Masters; (5) Meralco Bolts; (6) Star Hotshots; (7) San Miguel Beermen; (8) NLEX Road Warriors; (9) Barangay Ginebra San Miguel; (10) Rain or Shine Elasto Painters; (11) Alaska Aces, and (12) Phoenix Fuel Masters.

With the cadet team still intact next year, the Philippines will have a big chance in the new FIBA Olympic qualifying format through continental championships. This is a series of home-and-away qualification games during specific windows, many of which fall in the middle of the PBA season.

The formation of this cadet program will also have an eye on the next FIBA Basketball World Cup, which will be held in 2019.

"It’s in preparation for the 2017 home and away games of FIBA in the run-up to the 2019 World Cup in China," MVP added.

No comments:

Post a Comment