Dates to remember for PBA hopefuls

PLAYERS ASPIRING to make it to the big leagues have important dates to remember in the days leading up to the 2012 PBA Rookie Draft, which is set on Aug. 19 at the Robinson’s Midtown Manila.

The Commissioner’s Office has set July 6 as the deadline for Fil-foreign hopefuls to file their applications and submit all the documentary requirements.
Homegrown talents have until Aug. 3 to turn in their applications.

July 10 is the last day of the issuance of preliminary list of prospective Fil-foreign draftees to the teams, which will also have the period of July 11 to Aug. 2 to contest the eligibility of any applicant.

Rookie applicants go through biometrics on Aug. 15, a day before the final list of candidates for the draft is released.

The league expects another good yield of young talents for the upcoming season, especially after last year’s bumper crop chock-full of players coming from the Smart Gilas program led by top pick Jvee Casio. Included in the talent-laden 2011 pool were Paul Lee, Chris Lutz, Marcio Lassiter, Mark Barroca, among others. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio