Hard up JR wants to enter rookie draft

Former UP Maroon and Welcoat Paintmaster JR Reyes, at 21, is hoping that he be allowed to join the coming PBA Rookie Draft on a "hardship case" which he’s appealing to the league board of governors.

Reyes, who is two years below the age eligibility, sent his letters of appeal to the Commissioner’s Office and the 10 board representatives Wednesday.

The 6-foot-5 player, among the amateurs considered by coach Chot Reyes for the national training pool, cited being raised by a single parent, finishing high school only on athletic scholarship and now being the breadwinner of the family in his appeal.

Under the draft rules, only applicants 23 years old and above by the time the draft is held on Aug. 14 are eligible to apply. Aspirants who are below 23 will be eligible if he has graduated from college or is high school graduate in 2001.

Reyes is only three years out of Letran high and has completed 60 units in four semesters in UP. But the Meycauayan, Bulacan native said he intends to finish his college course even if he’s already playing in the pros.

Terry Saldaña was the only rookie player to make it to the PBA below the age eligibility on a hardship case. Prior to his entry in the league in 1993, Jun Limpot tried to enter the league through the same route but was denied by the board.

A total of 18 players, including Reyes, have filed their draft applications.

Potential first-rounders Anthony Washington, Mark Cardona, Jondan Salvador, Nino Canaleta and Alex Cabagnot head the list that also includes Mike Holfer, Denok Miranda, Cesar Catli, Jake Agleron, Heremias Sison, Artemio Almeda, Gerard Jones, Romer Menor, BJ Manalo, Mark Joseph Kong, Leomar Najorda and Valentin Domingo.

FedEx owns the first pick overall, and coach Bong Ramos said they’re likely to exercise the rights on either Washington or Cardona. — Nelson Beltran