MINIMUM AGE FOR PBA RECRUITS DEBATED
Manila, Jan. 6, 1998 - Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) chairman Gonzalo Puyat yesterday accused the Philippine Basketball Association of violating an agreement not to draft players younger than 23.
"The PBA has a standing agreement with the BAP to keep its hands off amateur players until they reach the age of 23. We're holding the PBA to that," said Puyat.
He was referring to a PBA board resolution approved on Feb. 15, 1994, which said "the minimum requirement for amateur players to be drafted to the PBA will be 23 years of age, effective the 1996 draft."
According to Puyat, the BAP used this resolution as the basis for pooling talented players under 22 years old for the national team to the Southeast Asian Games.
"What will happen if we let the PBA unilaterally lower the age limit from 23 to 21? Who would be left to play for the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association and the Asian Basketball Conference?" he asked.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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