By JONAS TERRADO
The direction of the Rookie Draft and the possible participation of the league’s best teams in the East Asia Super League will be the main agendas Thursday in the first meeting of the PBA Board of Governors for the year.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and team governors from all 12 ballclubs are set to discuss the likelihood of having a second straight special draft for Gilas Pilipinas which is separate from the regular proceedings.
Talks of a Gilas draft gained traction in the past few days after national team pool members Will Navarro, Jaydee Tungcab and Calvin Oftana submitted their applications.
Marcial said that the list of applicants has swelled to 90 as several players from the UAAP, NCAA, MPBL and Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 decided to turn pro.
The huge number of entrants can be cited with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that saw the cancellation of the UAAP season and the uncertainty surrounding the start of the NCAA and resumption of the MPBL campaign.
Joshua Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, Santi Santillan and Jamie Malonzo were among the prominent names who will enter the draft slated March 14.
Meanwhile, the PBA will also weigh-in on the feasibility of competing in the East Asia Super League, which plans to begin holding an annual home-and-away competition later this year.
The EASL, headed by CEO Matt Beyer, is hoping to get the PBA on board in order as it aims to have a continental tourney which consists of top clubs from China, Japan and South Korea.
In fact, the EASL has been active on social media showing quotes from PBA personalities supporting the possible participation.
If approved, the PBA will likely send two teams in Philippine Cup champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and losing finalist TNT.
PBA teams have competed in past EASL-organized events, namely the Super 8 and Terrific 12.
