PBA Commissioner gives update on trades, Gilas Draft status

The PBA will hold its 2021 PBA Draft on March 14, 2021, the much-awaited event of the country’s top amateur cagers who dream of joining the pro ranks.

While most how the usual PBA Draft goes, it remains to be seen if there will be a special Gilas Draft as well. It will be one of the topics for discussion by the PBA board as relayed by league commissioner Willy Marcial during the TOPS Usapang Sports forum held last January 7.

Per Marcial, holding a Gilas Draft is possible. It will all depend on the final list. He explains that Gilas officials will first take a look at the list of candidates and decide if there are any player/s on the list they intend to get.

The deadline for submission for inclusion in the 2021 PBA Draft will be on Jan. 27. Marcial says that once the final list is in, there will be a board meeting afterward to determine if there will be a need to hold a Gilas Draft or not.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial [PBA Images]

“Hinihintay ng Gilas kung sino yung mga magpapa-draft. Pag nakita nila yung listahan na yon, may kukuhanin ba sila? Wala ba silang kukuhanin? Kung may kukuhanin sila, papaano? Special Draft ba yan or paano gagawin natin? So madaming pag-uusapan sa susunod na board meeting,” Marcial stated.

Aside from the 2021 Draft, the PBA has lifted the moratorium on trades last January 4. When asked if there were any trades submitted to his office, Marcial said that he has not received any so far.

“Wala pang binibigay na papel. Wala pang nagsasabi sa akin na ‘pwede bang i-trade to.’ Wala, walang kabali-balita sa trade,” the PBA top brass said.

The latest on the PBA Draft is that three potential first-round picks may be ineligible. These are Jason Brickman, Jeremiah Gray and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser. They were among the first players who applied for the Rookie Draft.

According to their agent, Charlie Dy, the three are unable to submit certificates of recognition from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and affirmation from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prove their eligibility, ABS-CBN News reported.

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Brian Yalung

Managing Editor at Sports Bytes PH

Brian Yalung is a long-time writer who covers most sports and technology. He focuses on one-on-one interviews with athletes and organizations, going in-depth. He finished his Masters in Business Administration degree at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Applications at the DLSU-College of St. Benilde. He is currently the Program Overseer of PTV Sports.