More concessions, but still no direct hires for PBA expansion teams

PBA Commissioner Chito Salud

MANILA, Philippines—The PBA expansion teams were given a wider selection to build their respective rosters from, but a direct-hire concession was still off the table.

This was the decision given by the PBA Board of Governors on Thursday as the three new teams seek to build a solid roster for their debut season.

NLEX, Ever Bilena, and Kia Motors can get their players both from the expansion draft, which is composed of rookie and veteran free agents, and the rookie draft.

From 14 players, the 10 existing clubs will now have to protect only 12 players from their rosters, widening the choices for the expansion squads.

PBA Commissioner Chito Salud said that the line-ups should be released by the teams by season’s end.

“Thereby practically instituting a policy that would require each team to protect 12 players and the rest along with free agents available to the 3 expansion teams,” said Salud.

From just the last three picks in all rounds in the draft scheduled, the Board also agreed to instead give the teams the 11th-13th pick in the first round, first three choices in the second round, then all picks in the third round onwards.

The expansion draft is set at the end of July while the annual rookie draft is scheduled on August 24, attracting the top collegiate and amateur players in the country.

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