MANILA, Philippines - A bumper crop of young rookie hopefuls is expected in the PBA Draft this November with the likes of Greg Slaughter, Ian Sangalang, RR Garcia, Nico Salva and Justin Chua leading the roster.
Two-time UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks is said to be weighing his options on whether to turn pro this year or next season.
The league will now be accepting applicants as young as 21 years old for the Nov. 3 event provided the player has reached the required age by the day the 2014 Season of Asia’s pioneering pro league opens shop late in November.
If a rookie hopeful is younger than 21 by Nov. 17, he must be able to satisfy the other requirement to be eligible for inclusion in the final Draft pool. He must be a graduate of at least a four-year college course.
The new eligibility requirements were approved by the PBA Board of Governors last March.
In previous years, college undergraduates must be at least 23 years old by Draft day to be eligible.
The rookie grab bag this year will not be wanting in talent. Among those expected to make the big jump are some of the best big men in college and the PBA D-League like the seven-footer Slaughter, PBA D-League and NCAA MVP Sangalang and Ateneo frontliners Salva and Chua.
Likewise set to join the Draft are talented wingmen and guards, including Garcia, Ronald Pascual, Carlo Lastimosa and Jett Vidal.
Last year, Petron tabbed big man June Mar Fajardo with the Draft’s no. 1 overall pick.