PBA lays down new Draft rules

Shiga Lakes’ Kiefer Ravena. –B.LEAGUE PHOTO

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) on Wednesday announced modifications to its guidelines for those wanting to enter the draft following stints in professional leagues overseas like Japan’s B.League and South Korea’s Korean Basketball League.

A press release bared that new rules, which will take effect in next month’s proceedings, will require players to be in a “computer generated lottery” or a board approval depending on the length of the years since they became eligible.

“A draft applicant must have studied and played in collegiate leagues in the country before playing in a professional league overseas, regardless of age, provided that he joins the PBA draft within the third year of his eligibility,” the league said in its release sent to media outlets.

“However, if the applicant decides to join the draft in the fourth or fifth year of his eligibility after playing in a pro league overseas, he will have to go through a special computer generated lottery among the 12 teams.

“An applicant who has played abroad and joined the draft in the sixth year of his eligibility or more, his application is subject to conditions and approval of the board,” the PBA added.

The modified rules came two years after the league instituted rules on players taking their acts overseas.

Players like Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Ray Parks Jr. and Dwight Ramos, Rhenz Abando and RJ Abarrientos have taken their talents to Japan, South Korea and even Taiwan.

Other new rules approved during a board meeting that took place last May 26 are the lifting of the age limit of 30 years old for foreign cagers with Filipino roots. Draft applicants are now also eligible if they are at least 22 years old or have completed at least two years of college and at least 19.

The Draft deadline is Sept. 10 with Terrafirma having the No. 1 pick.