ADDITIONAL CONCESSIONS FOR EXPANSION TEAMS
NLEX, Blackwater and Team Kia now have a bigger pool of players to their select players for the coming 2015 PBA season.
The three expansion teams will have two venues to get prospective players – the Expansion Draft before the end of July and the Rookie Draft on Aug. 24.
“The PBA Board has expanded the concessions given to NLEX, Blackwater Sports and Team KIA,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud.
“The Board has agreed to play only 12 players plus two reserves by next season. The excess will be made available to the three new teams in the Expansion Draft,” Salud explained.
“It’s either protect nine, protect 10 or protect 11. It’s a little tricky for the 10 teams. It’s up to them since they have their draft picks. Remember we’ll play only 12 plus two reserves next season,” Salud further explained.
As for NLEX, Blackwater and Team KIA on the Rookie Draft, more draft choices have been made available by the board.
The Board has increased the draft rights of the expansion ball clubs, giving them the last three picks in the first round, the first three selections in the second round, all draft picks from the third round onwards.
Denied was the request of NLEX for them to be allowed to directly elevate five NLEX players in the D-League to their pro team.
Team KIA, meanwhile, didn’t make a formal notice on its reported wish to have boxing star Manny Pacquiao in its lineup.
“No official word,” said Salud, adding Pacquiao will be a welcome addition but, if ever, has to follow the process gone through by any rookie player. (SB)
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