Within the UAAP, it’s not allowed for gamers to enter the PBA draft in the event that they’re nonetheless enrolled in class, no matter their graduating yr. The reason being presumably to protect the purist nature of enjoying as amateurs. However a extra obvious purpose is faculties don’t wish to distract a participant’s focus or danger a participant pulling again from enjoying one hundred pc to keep away from damage and jeopardize his pathway to the professionals.
The philosophy is completely different within the NCAA which allows a participant to use for the PBA draft even when he’s enrolled in class. Nevertheless, a drafted participant might not bounce to the professionals till after the NCAA season. The thought is to not deprive a participant of the chance to affix the professionals as soon as he finishes his NCAA obligations.
The scenario is tied as much as a scheduling disconnect. Final yr, the PBA draft was held on July 14, 2024. The NCAA males’s basketball event began on Sept. 7, 2024 and ended on Dec. 7, 2024. The UAAP additionally began its males’s basketball competitions on Sept. 7, 2024 and ended on Dec. 15, 2024. Due to the NCAA’s coverage, Letran’s Pao Javillonar was allowed to affix the 2024 draft and was picked on the second spherical by Converge whereas nonetheless on lively obligation with the Knights. Javillonar skipped the Governors’ Cup to proceed enjoying for Letran and when the Knights’ marketing campaign ended, he made his PBA debut within the Commissioner’s Cup. It wasn’t the identical in La Salle guard Joshua David’s case. Below UAAP guidelines, he couldn’t be part of the draft not like Javillonar and after winding up his collegiate eligibility, headed to the MPBL whereas awaiting the following PBA draft.
The approaching PBA draft can be on Sept. 7 and each UAAP and NCAA are prone to open their seasons late that month. Mapua’s Clint Escamis is predicted to affix the draft even when he’ll nonetheless play for the Cardinals this yr. However what about La Salle’s Mike Phillips? If he joins the draft, Phillips may very well be the primary total choose. UAAP, nonetheless, received’t enable him as he’s nonetheless enrolled in class. So when the UAAP season ends in December, Phillips will wait at the least six extra months earlier than making use of for the following PBA draft. What to do within the meantime? Phillips will certainly be a magnet for recruiters to play abroad.
Maybe, SBP may step in and persuade UAAP to permit gamers to affix the PBA draft whereas enrolled in class on situation it’s their graduating yr and so they received’t flip professional till after the collegiate season is over. Absolutely, gamers deserve this break.