The Manila Times

Is PBA Japan’s ‘B-League’?

MICHAEL ANGELO B. ASIS

IT was reported that the PBA has lifted its ban on the so-called “draft dodgers.” These are the players who are eligible to play in the PBA based on requirements (which has now become more confusing) but decided not to enter the draft for one reason or another.

First of all, the “draft dodger” term is misleading in this case. The term is in reference to the military draft which is mandatory especially during wartime, and “dodging” or escaping such an obligation is considered a crime. Because of this term, it alludes that the PBA is a requirement, and it leaves the impression that once you leave college, you should join the league.

Nonetheless, the PBA’s move is a positive development. At the very least, the PBA is aware of the public sentiment, and has now responded accordingly. The initial “draft dodger” rule imposed a two-year ban on eligible players who choose not to enter the PBA upon eligibility. Let’s not sugarcoat it.

We might as well name this the “Thirdy Ravena” rule.

Thirdy, the pioneer

Thirdy would have been the top pick in the 2019 PBA draft after leading Ateneo to another championship in the UAAP. He eventually chose to play in the Japan B.League. The rule was meant to pressure Thirdy — and other rookie prospects— to prioritize the PBA and not let it be a “fallback.”

In trying to flex its muscle, the PBA looked more like a scorned lover begging not to be taken for granted. The rule did nothing to deter an exodus of players going to the Japan B.League. Thirdy will enter his second season in the B.League this year. Collegiate and Gilas Pilipinas standouts Dwight Ramos, Juan and Javi Gomez de Llano, Kobe Paras and Kenmark Carino also accepted offers from various B.League teams to play there this season.

An even tougher pill to swallow for the PBA is that two of the top guards in the league chose to sign with B.League teams. Ray Parks Jr. refused to sign a contract renewal with TNT, and Kiefer Ravena actually has a live contract with NLEX when he agreed to play for the Shiga Lakestars in Japan.

If Japanese teams can sign a PBA player with an active contract, is this a sign any PBA player is fair game for the league? If that’s the case, the PBA is becoming the “B League” of the Japanese B.League. I know, it is a cruel joke, but has the PBA now become a “farm league” of sorts?

That’s what PBA critics are saying. There are interpretations that the PBA’s lifting of the ban on players is their way of waving the white flag. However, that is not entirely inaccurate.

The new rule

According to a report from “The Dean” Joaquin Henson, the PBA won’t ban players. The league just “instituted a process where they may apply within three years through a special lottery or after a fiveyear sit-out.” PBA legal counsel, lawyer Melvin Mendoza defined “eligibility” as being “at least 22 (years old) or with two years of college and he must be at least 19 (years old).”

Another new twist in the rule is that the players who chose to forego their eligibility before joining the PBA draft will enter the league in a “special lottery.” This means that they will not undergo the normal draft process wherein the worst teams will have the first picks (unless they trade them).

Mendoza explained that the special lottery will involve all 12 teams. They will all have an equal chance. This means that Kobe Paras, Dwight Ramos, and even Kai Sotto, if ever he returns home and plays for the PBA, can be acquired by powerhouse teams like San Miguel Beer or TNT.

Pressing the panic button?

If this is the proverbial panic button, then the PBA has pressed it. At least we can no longer say that they are out of touch with reality. They can still take measures to stand a fighting chance even if the B.League is raiding the collegiate ranks by storm.

One way it is to open slots for collegiate foreign student athletes. They should also let naturalized players, specifically Ange Kouame, to play in the PBA as a local. There are already rumors that Kouame, since he’s now a Filipino, is getting offers from the B.League.

If the B.League recognizes Kouame’s citizenship and gets him as an Asian import, it is a huge blackeye to the PBA.

Sports

en-ph

2021-09-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://digitaledition.manilatimes.net/article/282076280002803

The Manila Times