Former PBA star Jerry Codiñera believes the league will remain strong despite the implementation of a three-year ban on players who choose to play in Japan or South Korea.
Codiñera, speaking on his Abante SPORTALAKAN program on Monday, said player movement is a normal part of professional basketball and should not spell doom for the PBA.
“I don’t think na bagsak ang liga (PBA) dahil lang dito sa three-year ban. Players, they do just come and go. May dumarating, may umaalis… nawawala, bumabalik,” he said.
The PBA legend noted that teams should always be ready to develop and discover new talent in case stars decide to leave.
“Kung nangyari man ito sa (Barangay) Ginebra (San Miguel Kings), na may nag-alis, papalit lang naman ‘yung mga nakaabang,” Codiñera added.
He also acknowledged the lure of overseas opportunities for today’s players, admitting he would have taken the chance himself.
“Kung dumating din sa panahon natin ‘yang Korea, Japan, na ‘yan siguro grab rin tayo,” he said.
Watch Codiñera’s full commentary here.
The PBA board introduced the ban on July 17, covering rookie draftees and veteran players who decline contract offers from their mother teams in favor of signing abroad. Their rights will remain with their original squads during the three-year period unless traded.
The rule exempts players not offered a contract within 30 days of expiration and those eligible as unrestricted free agents under the league’s seven-year rule. It was established to maintain competitive balance amid the exodus of Filipino stars overseas.
Among recent departures are Arvin Tolentino (Seoul SK Knights) and William Navarro (Busan KCC Egis) in the Korean Basketball League and Jamie Malonzo, who signed with Japan B.League Division 1’s Kyoto Hannaryz.
Earlier, Kiefer Ravena (Yokohama B-Corsairs), Matthew Wright (Kawasaki Brave Thunders), and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (Osaka Evessa) paved the way for Filipino players in Japan.
The post Codiñera: PBA won’t collapse despite three-year ban on players eyeing overseas leagues first appeared on Fastbreak.
0 comments: