PBA extends 2018 Rookie Draft application

The PBA has extended the application deadline for the upcoming 2018 Rookie Draft to December 10.

The initial deadline for local players was set for December 3.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

The league is extending the deadline of application for the 2018 Draft from December 3 to 12NN of December 10, 2018.#WeArePBA pic.twitter.com/L9ouBMl3ib

— PBA (@pbaconnect) November 29, 2018

The extension gives time for players from Ateneo and University of the Philippines to file for their application should they decide to make the jump to the pros after the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball finals.

But PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, though, clarified that the move wasn’t just made to accommodate those still playing in the UAAP finals.

“The PBA board has been mulling the extension as early as the semifinals (of the PBA Governors’ Cup). We have nothing to lose with the extension and maybe there are still players who want to catch up with the application,” Marcial told INQUIRER.net

The PBA Rookie Draft, the first under Marcial, is on December 16 while two-day draft combine is on December 12 and 13.

Among blue-chip recruits who have already submitted their applications are collegiate stars CJ Perez, Robert Bolick and two-time ASEAN Basketball League MVP Ray Parks.