Three days before the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft, the PBA Board of Governors will convene today for its monthly meeting to finalize the process that will be used for the ‘special draft’ involving players of the Gilas Cadet.
The pro league, in partnership with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), already identified 12 amateur players – led by Mac Belo and Kevin Ferrer – to the Gilas Cadet from where the 12 pro teams will select one player.
The board, however, has yet to decide with finality on the process on which team would pick first.
The initial plan is for a drafting order according to the overall placing or finish of the 12 teams in the just-concluded 41st Season.
That means Blackwater owns the No. 1 overall pick in the ‘special draft’ on Sunday.
Top officials of the Elite already expressed intentions to use the pick to select former Far Eastern University stalwart Mac Belo, a 6-foot-4 forward who is already drawing comparisons to TNT veteran Ranidel de Ocampo.
According to PBA media bureau head Willie Marcial, there are just a few questions that need to be answered by the board with regards to the ‘special draft.’
These 12 players will suit up for their soon-to-be PBA mother teams starting in the 42nd season scheduled Nov. 20 with the Philippine Cup but would be pulled out right away when training starts for the national team under returning coach Chot Reyes.
