
FILE–PBA Comissioner Willie Marcial during the Philippine Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The PBA remained mum on its decision to impose a three-year ban on free agents and rookies selected in the annual Draft who would opt to make a jump instead to other leagues, both here and abroad.
League officials, including commissioner Willie Marcial, have yet to confirm the implementation of the new guidelines, which sources said were approved a few weeks ago in response to the continuing migration of players not just to Japan and South Korea, but also to the regional MPBL.
But many within the league circles, including teams, were already informed through a memo that is obviously aimed at gluing talents to the league instead of taking their acts elsewhere.
Whether the rule stops departures remains to be seen, especially with offers of teams in Japan’s B.League and South Korea’s KBL reportedly worth at least double the PBA’s maximum monthly salary of P420,000 plus other perks and bonuses.
“The three-year ban seems to have no effect on the players [going overseas] since a one-year contract is worth about three years in the PBA,” an insider told the Inquirer when asked of the new rule.
Old guidelines allow players two years to eventually return to the PBA before undergoing a “sit-out period” until the fifth year in case they decide to stay.
Covered in the strict measures are free agents who refuse to re-sign with their mother ballclubs and those selected in the Rookie Draft who will get a tender offer from teams.
Players who were not offered after 30 days and those qualified to become unrestricted free agents after 21 conferences are free to sign elsewhere.
The PBA has been hit with player migrations since the pandemic, the most famous ones being Kiefer Ravena and Ray Parks Jr. who previously starred in the league but has been plying his trade in the B.League for some time now.
The league also took a hit with recent departures of ex-NorthPort franchise player Arvin Tolentino, Jamie Malonzo and William Navarro for Japan or South Korea.