Overseas-playing Filipinos, a problem haunting PBA

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Willie Marcial admitted that the continued migration of some big players to neighboring leagues abroad is something that he and the league cannot stop.

But this does not mean that Marcial and the PBA will admit to feeling the effects of the exodus, which increases in 2022 after the great leap and the professional cagers take greener pastures in Japan and South Korea.

“Honestly, no,” Marcial said in Filipino in response to the Inquirer’s question on one of the biggest topics in the local basketball scene in the past year. “If he feels it’s going to be good for his career, then we’re not going to stop him.”

Japan’s B.League once again received a new name to join Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Ray Parks Jr. and Dwight Ramos while Matthew Wright of Phoenix, Greg Slaughter of NorthPort and Roosevelt Adams of Terrafirma went to the Land of the Rising Sun for big money. offer.

But the South Korean Basketball League’s decision to follow the B.League’s lead in allowing its teams to sign Asian players led to the arrival of the likes of Rhenz Abando, RJ Abarrientos and SJ Belangel—collegiate blue chip talent who are sure to be PBA marquee names this season.

next departure?

He would definitely be a first round pick in the PBA Rookie Draft any year. But today’s players have more options compared to new times, and they prefer to take a chance than not try at all.

One player returned after a year in the B.League when Javi Gomez de Liaño was taken eighth overall by Barangay Ginebra in the draft before being sent to Terrafirma in exchange for No. 2 pick Jeremiah Gray.

University of the Philippines’ Carl Tamayo, Adamson’s Jerom Lastimosa and even NorthPort’s Robert Bolick are being speculated as one of the next to join the current crop of overseas-playing Filipinos.

This, despite some measures – although seen by some fans as draconian – a five-year window that gives those who went abroad the chance to return home.

Migration may be considered as one of the factors why games, except for popular teams like Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel Beer and Magnolia, are played before empty arenas.

Marcial, however, like other believers.

“If you remember, even though some of the famous names are gone, we still like the crowd and it’s good [TV] ratings,” said Marcial.

But PBA president Ricky Vargas once admitted that the “poaching of players” is not only affecting the league, but also the Gilas Pilipinas program, even though Ravenas, Parks and Ramos are among the games in the Fiba (International Basketball Federation) World Cup qualifying window. and continental tournament despite their B.League commitment.

“The key word is cooperation. If we continue this way of involving Filipino players without prior clearance from our league, it can sadly damage our friendship,” said Vargas when the PBA held talks with the B.League in September, prompting the negative response from Slaughter outspoken.

The thought of being a pro cager abroad instead of being one in the PBA will remain in 2023. But for Marcial, he remains open to those who want to come back and showcase their talent in the country’s big league. INQ

Read Next

For suggestions, complaints, or questions, please contact us.