New PBA rules: Too little, too late? - The Manila Times

THE PBA has relaxed on its eligibility rules for Filipinos with foreign lineage. The main requirement now is a Philippine passport. There is no need to get clearance from the Department of Justice anymore.

This deterred possible draft prospects like Jason Brickman, Jeremiah Gray and Brandon Rosser in the past.

Now, these talents can join the next PBA draft, which is probably a lackluster draft than expected due to the exodus of top prospects like Thirdy Ravena, Kobe Paras, and Dwight Ramos to Japan's B.League and the Taiwan league.

With reports that even the Korean league will also consider hiring Filipino imports, the PBA needed to take measures. Changes were already being requested by the fans, but the PBA has seemingly become more responsive to outside threats on their investments rather than listen to the voice of their esteemed audience.

Too little?

The new PBA rules were meant to make it easy for Fil-foreign talents to join the PBA draft. Note that the DoJ certification was an additional requirement and was implemented in response to the "Fil-Shams" scandal of 1999 where players like Sonny Alvarado and Rob Parker were discovered to have falsified their documents in order to play as locals in the PBA. There were some quarters who thought that the PBA should have been more lenient and let these players play, but then again, that would have compromised the credibility of the league.

Over the years, the DoJ requirement has deterred many Fil-foreigners from joining the league, and they ended up playing in other countries as Asian imports. It did seem weird that players with Filipino lineage could play in other countries but not in the Philippines. The PBA only has classifications of local players and imports. They do not have provisions for Asian imports, so the Fil-foreigners really need to qualify as locals.

The PBA also adjusted its limit to seven Fil-foreign players per team from the previous max of five. That rule is also strange, since it implies a distinction between Fil-foreigners and Filipinos who were born and raised locally. If a Fil-foreigner has gone through hoops to prove his citizenship and qualify as a local, then they should have all the privileges of being a local, and not be a subject to limitations.

The same logic should apply to naturalized Filipinos, which, by law, should be given all the privileges of a Filipino citizen. That should include playing in the PBA as a local. Instead, the PBA has considered Marcus Douthit, who donned the Philippine colors for several years in international tournaments, as an import.

Too late?

There are Fil-foreigners that have spent their prime in other countries, simply because the PBA door has been closed on them. The league could have been more competitive, and the level of play would be closer to international standards had these players been allowed to play as locals.

Also, the main clamor of the fans is for the PBA to expand, which has still not been considered. The lack of responsiveness has already led to the PBA's waning popularity.

With the B.League and other leagues already showing interest and giving value to Filipino players, the PBA response may already be too late. Players are well aware that there are better opportunities outside the PBA, and fans have actually been supportive of players who play for other countries. They see it as an achievement not just for the individual players, but also for the level of Philippine basketball — and this is the apt response.

Misplaced priorities

The PBA is reaping what they sow. Their half-hearted support for Gilas has led fans, and even players, to explore other options. In this world with increased international interaction, Filipinos want to be recognized not just for their devotion to basketball, but also for the actual level of play.

In choosing to protect corporate interests over opportunities to grow and raise the standards of competition, the PBA is now taking losses. In any business, failure to keep up with trends and innovations is a death knell. The PBA, as its Board kept on reiterating, is a business.

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New PBA rules: Too little, too late? - The Manila Times
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