PBA D-League extends deadline for rookie draft application
PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa Friday announced that he has acceded to the request from some quarters to extend the deadline for PBA D-League Rookie Draft applications to give aspiring players ample time to complete their eligibility requirements.
“We’ve been flooded by requests from player agents and Fil-foreign applicants, asking for more time to enable them to work on their documents, particularly concerning their citizenship,” Narvasa said.
“We understand that obtaining documents from the Immigration and Justice departments take some time so we are extending (the deadline). Besides, the D-league won’t start its season until January,” he added.
Fil-foreign players joining the Draft now have until October 30 to submit their applications. The new cut-off date for local-born players is November 6.
Narvasa said he also adjusted the maximum age requirement for D-League players to 30 years old. During the past seasons, players more than 28 years old were no longer allowed to play in the league.
“We have a lot of unrestricted rookie free agents who can’t return to the D-League because of the maximum age requirement. It’s sad to see their skills go to waste simply because of the age restriction. The PBA wants to help them and hopefully give them another shot at the big league that’s why we’re doing this,” Narvasa said.
As this developed, Narvasa is calling on all school-based teams to submit the names of their new players so that the league can determine the drafting order.
He also called on all teams who have expressed their intention to participate to pay their entry fees on or before Oct. 30.
The Annual Rookie Draft is set on Nov. 19, 2015.
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