Mad rush to turn pro

With the IATF guidelines stipulating no training for amateur athletes, it’s no wonder the NBL, WBNL and Chooks to Go 3x3 league were in a hurry to turn pro so they can restart practice first then tournaments later. However, amateur athletes training to qualify for the Olympics or those already qualified will likely be permitted to return to the gym late this month. Under GCQ, pro athletes in basketball, football and boxing may train in restricted numbers and under MGCQ, pro competitions may be allowed with a limited audience.

The danger of any league turning pro is collegiate players lose their eligibility to play for their schools. In the NBL, for instance, there are UAAP players listed in team rosters. But GAB chairman Baham Mitra said the government agency has passed a resolution allowing amateur players to retain their status if they play in a pro league as guests. Mitra said GAB will announce the resolution today. He added that amateur players who choose to retain their status while performing in a pro league will be issued Special Guest Licenses (SGLs) by GAB.

In 1985, the amateur team Northern Consolidated played as a guest entry in the PBA and even won the Third Conference title. Players didn’t lose their amateur status with Northern Consolidated because the team was classified as a guest participant.  In the GAB resolution, amateur players may retain their status even if their teammates are pros and their team is pro. “Any person, entity or association engaged in professional sports who wish to include amateur players with SGL shall first obtain the written approval of the Board, stating therein the specific games, dates involved and the justification therefor,” said the GAB resolution. “The SGL is a privilege granted by the Board. If it is shown that the SGL is being used by the athlete or the professional team or league to circumvent the laws, rules and regulations governing professional sports in the country, the Board may revoke the SGL and disqualify the subject athlete from applying for a professional license and/or revoke the licenses and permits of the professional team or league.”

Mitra said SGLs will be issued on a yearly basis and renewable “subject to good behavior.” He said, “We cannot sway the UAAP or NCAA but they can’t stop us from allowing to admit guests so that they can be exposed and improve and test their skills against older and more experienced players.” It’s possible that the UAAP and NCAA may not recognize SGLs.

Regarding Chooks to Go, it’s understandable why the 3x3 league chose to go the pro road. Time is of the essence because the Philippines will play in the FIBA Olympic 3x3 Qualifiers in Graz, Austria, on May 26-30 next year. Chooks to Go 3x3 commissioner Eric Altamirano wanted to jumpstart training and get a tournament going because other countries have already reopened. A prolonged hiatus will make the Philippine stale and rusty for the Austria competition. Chooks to Go amateur players may retain their status with SGLs.

The implication of NBL and Chooks to Go 3x3 players turning pro before joining the PBA draft is they will not be considered rookies once they move to the PBA, making them ineligible for the Rookie of the Year award. Under PBA rules, a pro player in a Philippine league must still apply for the draft but will not be eligible for rookie honors. Another implication is if a player who is eligible for the PBA draft decides to skip two years in a row, he risks a lifetime ban. The PBA instituted the rule to protect the integrity of the draft and not allow players to choose which teams will draft them by selecting the year to join. However, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said a player may appeal for an exception to the ban by explaining his circumstances and cited Thirdy Ravena’s case. Ravena will skip his second consecutive PBA draft this year to play in the Japan league but has explained his situation to Marcial.

A player who is banned from the PBA will be prohibited from playing in the PBA 3x3 league which was supposed to open last April but suspended because of the pandemic. The PBA 3x3 league will be open to anyone with no age limit but only up to two Fil-foreigners in each lineup. A PBA player enlisted for 3x3 may be returned to his regular PBA team only once, meaning no back-and-forth mobility.