Board asks Barako to decide on leave

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Basketball Association has given Barako Bull until Friday to decide on its options before the league finalizes details for the season-ending Governors Cup.

The PBA put on hold the release of the official third-conference format and schedule after Barako Bull informed the league board in its Boracay meeting Saturday the possibility of reactivating its franchise for the coming tourney.

Obviously, Barako Bull wants to save the value of its picks in the coming PBA rookie draft.

In its Boracay meeting, the PBA board decided Barako Bull is not eligible for draft points for their leave of absence in the Commissioner’s Cup.

For the same rule, the Energy Boosters will continue to slide in the draft order should they stay on leave in the third conference.

Barako governor Manny Mendoza said: “The option to return has always been there.”

Before the second conference, Barako was first in the draft order for being the last placer in the Philippine Cup. The Energy Boosters might have dropped to third or fourth for their non-participation in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Meanwhile, Powerade has decided to bring back old import John Williamson while Alaska Milk has tapped in former Air21 reinforcement Jason Forte.

Williamson had a brief six-game stint with Powerade in the Fiesta Conference last year, averaging 25.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists but unable to bail the Tigers out of trouble.

Tasmin Olajuwon Mitchell was actually Powerade’s original choice. The Tigers, however, decided not to take a risk on the Louisiana U product after he measured a little over 6-foot-6 in a height test done in the US.

After a long search, Alaska, meanwhile, settled with Forte.

“We love his energy and character, and we think he’ll be a good fit. We like the fact that he knows the league,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

Forte was a walk-in hopeful signed to a short-term pact by Air21 last year while the team was still waiting for LeRoy Hickerson.

The North Carolina alum played two games with the Express, norming 26 points, 16.5 rebounds and three assists.