Published January 28, 2021, 8:35 PM
Photo from FIBA
The PBA Board of Governors gave the green light Thursday to the staging of another special round for Gilas Pilipinas players in the annual Rookie Draft slated March 14.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio, who attended the afternoon meeting at the PBA Office in Libis as team governor of Meralco, welcomed the league’s approval for the special draft which allows Gilas to tap prospective players for its long-term program.
Panlilio said the Gilas coaching staff will be given the opportunity to look at the list of a record 97 applicants that can be tapped for the program.
WILL Justine Baltazar beat the deadline of applications for the PBA Rookie Draft?
That s the question that will be answered as the pro league closes its doors for entrants to the annual rookie proceedings on Wednesday.
It has been over a month since the PBA started accepting application forms for aspirants as it welcomes fresh talent come the March 14 event.
Still, Baltazar, the promising 6-foot-8 Kapampangan center from La Salle has yet to put his name in the list.
There are scouts and coaches who see the Mabalacat native getting picked first overall, although the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is poised to tap him in the special Gilas round, ensuring that the 23-year-old will continue to play for the national team and be part of its youthful core before he formally begins his PBA career.
(Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Appearing in today’s public hearing by the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes and Laws on resolutions seeking to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution were former Supreme Court Justice Adolf Azcuna, former Supreme Court Associate Justice Vicente Mendoza, former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Christian Monsod, and Fr. Ranhillo Aquino, Dean, Graduate School of Law, San Beda College.
They agreed that amending the 1987 Constitution shall be done separately via three-fourths votes of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Aquino said both Houses of Congress voting separately upholds the bicameral nature of the two chambers. Congress is a partisan body, he added.
Published January 26, 2021, 7:34 PM
Photo from FIBA
Another member of the Gilas Pilipinas Cadet squad is joining the PBA Draft with Calvin Oftana submitting his application on the eve of the league-imposed deadline.
The former San Beda star formally put his name in the draft Tuesday, following the lead of fellow Cadets Will Navarro and Jaydee Tungcab.
Oftana played for Gilas during the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers last November in Bahrain and is currently part of the pool training at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
He was part of several San Beda title teams in the NCAA and won league Most Valuable Player honors in 2019.