Uytengsu to SBP: Let Gilas Cadets join PBA Draft

Wilfred Uytengsu. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

ALASKA team owner Wilfred Uytengsu wants the top amateurs in the land to join the coming PBA Draft even if they ink long-term contracts with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to be part of the Gilas Cadet pool.

Uytengsu bared his “win-win” solution on the eve of today’s meeting between SBP officials and PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa amid fears the league might be faced with a talent-starved pool in the coming Draft.

Basketball godfather Manny V. Pangilinan, the outgoing chair of the SBP, earlier said they would reactivate the Cadet program by signing up the country’s blue-chip amateurs to exclusive contracts that would make them available anytime for international competitions.

Among those being wooed by the SBP are former UAAP stars Kiefer Ravena, Mac Belo, Kevin Ferrer and Bobby Ray Parks.

In his proposal, Uytengsu said the top amateurs should be allowed to join the Draft, be picked, and earn a stipend from their respective PBA mother teams while also under contract with the Gilas program.

“How do we create a win-win (solution)?” Uytengsu said. “By mandating that all amateur players who will join the Gilas Cadets to join the PBA Draft. These players, however, will not be eligible to join the PBA until their contracts with Gilas is completed, or the team decides to release them to their PBA teams.”

The outspoken Alaska owner said that by doing so, PBA teams can plan for their future while continuing to help the national team.

The SBP wants to go back to the Cadet program because Fiba has drawn up a new qualifying schedule, which basically takes PBA players—or in the case of the United States, NBA stars—out of the national team picture.

The Cadet program is being drawn up to help the Philippines qualify for the World Cup in China in 2019.