There will be a couple of changes.
The PBA has made some changes to ensure a level playing field when the Bay Area Dragons reintroduce themselves in the Commissioner’s Cup.
This after coaches like Rain or Shine Elasto Painters' Yeng Guiao and Meralco Bolts' Luigi Trillo raised some concerns over the number of imports and Asian heritage players on the heels of the news that the Dragons are returning to the league in the upcoming season.
With imports Myles Powell and Andrew Nicholson in tow, the Dragons blew out one team after another and ended up atop the heap after the elimination round. While the two didn't play together, the PBA allowed the team to bring both imports and play them alternately.
They beat the San Miguel Beermen in the semifinals, but ultimately bowed to eventual champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in a thrilling seven-game series.
“Nag-usap din kami ni coach Yeng. Ang imports nila (BAD), katulad na rin ng imports ng PBA, isang import lang,” PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
“Kung magpapalit [ng import], kung papano rin magpalit ang PBA. 6-foot-9 ang height limit.”
Marcial also clarified that the Dragons can only field in two Asian heritage players. It’s not clear what constitutes a player as such, though.
Questions about this player classification come in when discussing Bay Area players Hayden Blankley, born in Australia, and Kobey Lam, who hails from Canada. Both have Chinese blood.
Another Dragon who might be under the microscope is Sedrick Barefield. The Filipino-American guard, who previously expressed interest to join the PBA Draft, signed with the Dragons earlier this year and suited up for them in the EASL Champions Week.
The Commissioner’s Cup will kick off on October 15 to give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ FIBA World Cup and Asian Games campaigns, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Rookie Draft is set on September 17.
(GM)