PBA clears Fil-Am Evans for annual draft

The PBA declared Tuesday Kenny Evans qualified to join the league Annual Draft Sunday in Glorietta in Makati after the former San Francisco State cager submitted an order of the Department of Justice requiring the Bureau of Immigration to grant him a certificate of recognition.

The DOJ reversed its earlier ruling turning down Evans’ application for confirmation of his Filipino citizenship when the player submitted new documents.

Evans has until 12 noon Friday to forward his BI and DOJ papers to the PBA office that will all but seal his entry to the draft pool.

Only four of 12 Fil-Am hopefuls made it to the draft pool with the three others being John Arigo of University of North Florida, Michael Hrabak of Central Arizona College and Jeremy Aniciete of North Park University.

Those who applied but failed to submit the necessary documents were Jason Henky of Glendora High, Ken Gumpenberger of Cal State San Bernardino, David Friedhof of Apple Valley, Jeffrey Manebo of Centennial College (Canada), Christopher Clark of Trident Tech, Dennis Andrew Ducusin of Ryerson Polytechnic, Francis Rawschmayer of Florida Community College and Joshua Lambert of USAF Academy.

A total of 57 players were declared qualified for the draft with 31 coming from the MBA, 13 from the PBL and seven from the collegiate leagues. These players submitted clearances from their respective leagues.

The marquee names in the list include Willie Miller, Roger Yap, Anton Villoria, Marvin Ortiguerra, Francis Adriano, Michael Manigo, Ato Morano, Gilbert Demape and Jonathan Serrano.

Red Bull has the right on the first pick and may choose either Miller or Arigo. Shell picks second then Barangay Ginebra third. Tanduay owns the fourth pick but it has reportedly traded it to Mobiline in exchange for the Piltel franchise’s second round pick on top of a cash bonus of no less than P3 million.

Mobiline will exercise the right picking either Ortiguerra or Recaredo Calimag.

Commissioner Jun Bernardino announced that he’ll meet all the 57 prospects at the PBA office tomorrow to brief them on the proceedings.