PBA sets deadline for top Fil-Am picks

The PBA has given Fil-Americans Rob Reyes and Joe Devance until Aug. 13 to comply with all the league requirements that would make them eligible for this year’s rookie draft.

Reyes, according to his agent Charlie Dy, already carries a Philippine passport, but is still being required to secure confirmation from the justice department.

The player agent said he is confident that Reyes, a former PBL player who was born and raised in Florida, would make it to the draft where he is expected to be among the early picks.

Reyes, nephew of former PBA player Eric Reyes, left for the US shortly after helping Harbour Centre win the PBL Unity Cup crown last month, and returned to Manila last week.

The 6-foot-6 product of Flagler College in Florida was hoping for a smooth entry into the PBA, only to find out that carrying a Philippine passport is not enough to get him in.

"That’s why he’s disappointed," said Dy. "In fact, he was already planning to go back to Florida this weekend. There are so many things in his mind right now. There’s a lot of pressure."

Reyes was prevailed upon giving up when the PBA allowed him more time to secure the needed documents. Now he even plans to join the PBA rookie camp scheduled Aug. 7 to 12.

Commissioner Noli Eala said the PBA has given the two Fil-Americans more time since the delay in the acquisition of the needed documents is no longer their fault.

Another Fil-Am player who applied for the coming draft but was already given the go-signal is Kelly Williams, a high-leaping 6-foot-5 from Michigan.

Devance, born in Hawaii, played for the University of Texas El Paso, a US Division I team. He made his presence felt with Toyota Otis in the recent PBL conference where he was named MVP.

The entry of Williams, plus the possible inclusion of Reyes and Devance in the coming draft, might disrupt the previous plans of the different teams as far as their choices are concerned.