When the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) received an influx of application from bogus Filipino-foreigner players, it realized that it needs to institute something, some screening system that will help them weed out fake applicants.
One of those adopted is a rule requiring Filipino-foreigners to go through the Development League (D-League) first before becoming an eligible applicant for the league’s annual rookie draft.
However, for some twist of fate or a change of heart, the PBA Board of Governors deemed it appropriate that even PBA-bound Filipino players should go through the D-League for at least two conferences and seven games each.
PBA operations director Rickie Santos said the rule was approved during the planning session of the league’ in Seoul, South Korea early October 2014.
"Dati, Fil-foreigners lang. Now, pati locals kailangang dumaan sa D-League," said Santos during the PSA Forum. “For next year, kailangan ang mga locals, makapaglaro na sa D-League."
The rule change, however, inevitably raised questions on whether the league board has taken steps to block 'undeserving' players from entering the league, in light of the controversy surrounding boxing champion Manny Pacquiao's entry as playing-coach for expansion side KIA Motors.
"Hindi naman," came Santos' reply.
Santos admitted that the rule will enable the PBA to weed out the so-called 'nuisance' applicants - meaning players with very little or no credentials putting their names in the pro league's rookie draft. However, he denied that the rule targeted players like Pacquiao, explaining that the Sarangani congressman would have been exempt from the rule even if it was put in place prior to this season's rookie draft.
Why? The mandatory D-League rule, he said, grants two exemptions to players who are either over the age of 26 or have previosuly played for the national senior team. "The board simply wants the league to screen players before they enter the rookie draft," Santos said. "The board members also feel that it will be a boost to the D-League if the best players see action there."
One of those adopted is a rule requiring Filipino-foreigners to go through the Development League (D-League) first before becoming an eligible applicant for the league’s annual rookie draft.
However, for some twist of fate or a change of heart, the PBA Board of Governors deemed it appropriate that even PBA-bound Filipino players should go through the D-League for at least two conferences and seven games each.
PBA operations director Rickie Santos said the rule was approved during the planning session of the league’ in Seoul, South Korea early October 2014.
"Dati, Fil-foreigners lang. Now, pati locals kailangang dumaan sa D-League," said Santos during the PSA Forum. “For next year, kailangan ang mga locals, makapaglaro na sa D-League."
The rule change, however, inevitably raised questions on whether the league board has taken steps to block 'undeserving' players from entering the league, in light of the controversy surrounding boxing champion Manny Pacquiao's entry as playing-coach for expansion side KIA Motors.
"Hindi naman," came Santos' reply.
Santos admitted that the rule will enable the PBA to weed out the so-called 'nuisance' applicants - meaning players with very little or no credentials putting their names in the pro league's rookie draft. However, he denied that the rule targeted players like Pacquiao, explaining that the Sarangani congressman would have been exempt from the rule even if it was put in place prior to this season's rookie draft.
Why? The mandatory D-League rule, he said, grants two exemptions to players who are either over the age of 26 or have previosuly played for the national senior team. "The board simply wants the league to screen players before they enter the rookie draft," Santos said. "The board members also feel that it will be a boost to the D-League if the best players see action there."
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