PBA sets July, August deadlines for Rookie Draft

MANILA, Philippines – Solomon Mercado is among the foreign-born or -bred Filipinos expected to submit applications to the annual Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft on or before July 8, according to a PBA statement issued on Monday. Solomon, who won two titles in the Phiippine Basketball League (PBL) with Harbour Centre, is waiting for his Department of Justice clearance to complete his papers for the August 31 draft at the Market, Market in Taguig City. After the deadline, the 10 PBA teams will assess the legitimacy of the applicant's papers and will have a month – from July 12 to August 11 – to question the applications. The teams are considering TY Tang, Jeff Chan, Mark Borboran, Cholo Villanueva, and Kelvin Gregorio as draft hopefuls. PBA added that it has received seven applications, one of which is from San Mig Coffee's Kevin Dalafu, who is the first foreign-bred applicant. Also expected to submit their applications are Hapee Toothpaste's Gabe Norwood, Harbour Centre's Beau Belga, Fil-Am Rob Reyes, and Ateneo's Ford Arao and Chris Tiu. "We're looking forward to another successful Rookie Draft which we will be holding by the end of August," PBA commissioner Renauld "Sonny" Barrios said. "That's the reason why we've come out with this itinerary for would be applicants to comply with so that everything will go on smoothly come D-Day." For local players, the league said that the deadline for filing their applications are on August 12. The on August 15, the final list of applicants will be released. Draft hopefuls will take part in the Rookie Camp to be held from August 22 to 24. The top three pics in last year's draft, Fil-Am Joe Devance (Welcoat), Samigue Eman (Magnolia), and Ryan Reyes (Sta. Lucia). - GMANews.TV