IT REMAINS to be seen whether or not the upcoming PBA Rookie Draft this March will have a special Gilas Draft as league commissioner Willie Marcial disclosed that his office has yet to receive a request for it from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Marcial explained that for a Gilas Draft to occur, the country’s basketball governing body — the SBP — must submit a request, which would then need approval from the league’s board.
To date, only a handful of prospects have formally submitted their PBA Draft applications, which will be held on March 14.
The short list includes Alab players Jeremiah Gray, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and highly touted Filipino-American guard Jason Brickman.
Marcial added that he expects the SBP to make their intentions known once they get a better glimpse at the pool of applicants.
There are plenty of Gilas prospects around like Thirdy Ravena, Cebuano Santi Santillan, former La Salle ace Jamie Malonzo and current Green Archer big man Justine Baltazar. The deadline for the filing of applications for the PBA Draft is on Jan. 27.
Marcial also said the league needs to learn what will happen to the five players that the SBP originally drafted into the Gilas pool, namely former Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. MVP Rey Anthony Suerte, Isaac Go, Matt and Mike Nieto and Allyn Bulanadi.
“What will happen to those included in the draft last year? Will they be returned to their respective mother teams?” queried Marcial. / JNP