Deadline set for PBA Rookie Draft aspirants

Aspiring players who wish to join the Philippine Basketball Association next year have until Jan. 2, 2001 to file their applications for the league’s annual Rookie Draft set on Jan. 14.

This, as well as the other activities of Asia’s first and best-run professional cage league, was bared recently by commissioner Jun Bernardino, with the applicants needing to satisfy one of the following requirements to be deemed eligible to join the PBA:

•He must be 23 years old by June 30, 2001.

•He must have graduated from high school in 1997 or earlier.

•He must have a bachelor’s degree obtained from an institution recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports.

The same rules apply on Fil-foreign players wishing to try their luck in the PBA, but they must also be able to submit a Department of Justice confirmation of their Filipino citizenship before the deadline for the filing of applications.

Players coming from the Metropolitan Basketball Association may also join the draft and are spared from the requirements mentioned above if they are homegrown talents.

Meanwhile, tickets for the Alaska vs Barangay Ginebra game at the Dagupan Astrodome in Dagupan this coming Saturday have hit the market yesterday with at least 14 ticket outlets utilized for the convenience of the fans.

Jollibee branches in Calasiao, at the Junction and Magsaysay and McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Shakey’s, Chowking, Magic Cafe and Star Plaza Hotel in Dagupan are selling tickets for the game priced at P370 for ringside, P350 for courtside and P100 for general admission.