New hope for Fil-Am Norwood in PBA draft

MANILA, Philippines – Top rookie prospect Gabe Norwood had just gotten a new found hope in his bid to make the Philippine Basketball Association Annual Draft. Commissioner Renauld “Sonny" Barrios extended the deadline for Fil-foreign players to complete all the necessary requirements for them to be considered in the final list of candidates for the August 31 event set at Market Market Place in Taguig. From its original July 8 deadline, Barrios gave the seven Fil-foreign aspirants until July 25 to present at least photo copies of all the documents and papers required of them. The documents, he added, serve as prerequisites for all foreign-bred players wishing to make it to the PBA Draft. Norwood and six other Fil-foreign players already signified their intention to join the draft by submitting their respective applications prior to the July 8 deadline, although none among them we’re able to complete the requirements imposed by the league. The former George Mason University stalwart and PBL Rookie of the Year while playing for Hapee still has to secure an approval from the Department Justice regarding his Filipino citizenship. “The papers that we are requiring them to submit serve as sort of their passport to become candidates for the annual draft," said Barrios, who added that no less than the PBA Board of Governors reiterated the same policy in its last meeting held July 14. Barrios, however, said that authenticated and original copies of those documents must be turned over to the league by noon of August 29. Certificate of Recognition from the Bureau of Immigration, DoJ affirmation, authenticated birth certificate from the National Statistics Office (if applicant is born in the country), authenticated birth certificate of Filipino parent or other valid documents acceptable to the appropriate agency, marriage certificate of parents, duly notarized and/or authenticated naturalization papers of Filipino parents, duly notarized affidavits of at least three persons residing in the Philippines attesting to the claim of citizenship of applicant, and all other documents which the PBA Commissioner may require are some of the documents the league require all Fil-foreign hopefuls. Any of the Fil-foreign applicants who fail to complete the requirement by July 25 will be considered out of the list according to Barrios. The complete list of Fil-foreign aspirants also includes, Kevin Delafu, Jared Dillinger, Robert Baltch Reyes, Solomon Mercado, Christopher Viardo, and Charles Waters. –GMANews.TV