Green light for Alex?

Will Alex Compton finally be allowed to play in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)?

Welcoat has made a "special" request to enlist the crack guard from Cornell University when it debuts in the PBA next season.

PBA commissioner Noli Eala said yesterday Compton himself did not make the request. Compton had previously asked to be included in the PBA draft twice but a decision on both requests was deferred.

"We never denied his applications," stressed Eala. "The Board of Governors deferred making a decision one way or the other because of pressing matters, like the Fil-foreigner issue."

It didn’t seem timely to accept Compton’s application when there were doubts on the authenticity of heritage claims of certain Fil-foreigners. Compton was born here to American parents and has no Filipino lineage so if he is allowed to play in the PBA as a local, it would be an exception although not unprecedented. Two US-born cagers Billy Robinson and Israel (Cisco) Oliver were given the go-signal to play as locals in the PBA’s early years.

Eala said Welcoat added the "special" request in negotiating terms for its entry into the league. He qualified it was by no means an imposition.

Although several members of the PBA Board are inclined to permit Compton’s application, Eala said a decision may not come immediately.

Even assuming Compton gets the green light, it’s not certain if he’ll play for Welcoat.

Under terms of its entry, Welcoat will be able to elevate three players from its Philippine Basketball League roster as of last Dec. 31. Compton was not in Welcoat’s lineup and still isn’t. So if the PBA gives in to Welcoat’s "special" request, Compton will be its fourth "direct hire" from the amateur ranks.

Another option is for the PBA to allow Compton to join the draft this August. Welcoat has the 10th and last pick in the first round. If Compton is still available by the time Welcoat’s turn comes up, he’ll wind up with the Paint Masters. But the likelihood is Compton will be tapped before Welcoat has the chance to grab him.

Eala said citing Robinson and Oliver as precedents may or may not strengthen Compton’s case.

"When Robinson and Oliver played, there was really no clear-cut All-Filipino conference," said Eala. "They were allowed to play so as to balance the competition because Crispa and Toyota were too dominant. Besides, they were married to Filipinas. So the circumstances are a little different from the situation today."

Compton said he’ll reapply for the draft if it’s not taken to mean he’s pushing himself too much.

"Regarding me not applying again, I wasn’t sure when I should and didn’t know if they’d need me to apply again since I applied twice already," said Compton. "I thought I might seem makulit. But if they want me to apply again, I’ll definitely do it."

By the way, Eala said a protect-10 dispersal draft will be conducted to give Welcoat the opportunity to recruit veterans from other PBA teams.

As for Compton, he’s not taking a step back in preaching the gospel of basketball, sportsmanship and Christian values. With coach Eric Altamirano, Compton is organizing the Elite Basketball Camp at the Brent International School in Mamplasan, Laguna, on April 7-12.

Some 80 third and fourth year high school players from Metro Manila are participating in the all-expense-paid, by-invitation-only, six-day stay-in camp where former National Basketball Association player David Wood will be involved as a teacher.

"Having played in the Philippines for over eight years now, I have seen players at all levels," said Compton. "I’ve noticed the true passion for the game Filipinos have. Yet I have also noticed a shortage of the type of excellent coaching at an early age that helped me so much in my own career. Being aware that no overnight, intense training and intense basketball camps exist in the Philippines, coach Eric and I spoke and we decided to start the Elite camp."

More about the Elite camp in tomorrow’s column.