Probably because of the strict requirements imposed by the Commissioner’s Office this year, the Taulavas, the Menks, the Seigles and the like shied away from the Annual Rookie Draft for the 2004 PBA season.
Surprisingly, only Fil-German Joachim Thoss, 21, and Fil-Australian Richard Peter Benitez Michael, 23, managed to beat the deadline for the filing of application of Fil-foreigners for the draft.
Two other Fil-foreigners in Thedore Hawkins Jr. and Chris Pacana applied for the draft but were declared ineligible because they lacked the required documents.
In the light of the "Fil-sham" controversy, the league put up strict measures this time to stop the entry of fake Filipinos.
Unlike before, Fil-foreign players are now required to submit Bureau of Immigration certification and Department of Justice confirmation as they apply for the draft.
Thus, for the first time in years, the PBA may have a season minus a rookie Fil-foreign player in the 2004 wars.
Michael, a 6-foot-1 guard from University of Sydney, was picked by Welcoat in this year’s PBL draft but was unsigned. He played high school ball with Sydney Boys High from 1997-98 before suiting up for the University of Sydney for two years.
Thoss played for James Cook University in college and played for the Cairns Marlins in the Australian Basketball Association.
The influx of Fil-foreign players in the league had gone unabated since the entry of Andy Seigle and Nic Belasco in 1997. Noy Castillo, Ali Peek and William Antonio came in 1998, followed by the group of Eric Menk, Sonny Alvarado, Asi Taulava, Danny Seigle, Jon Ordonio in 1999, Davonn Harp, Rudy Hatfield and Mick Pennisi in 2000, Mike Hrabak, John Arigo, Mark Caguioa and Kenny Evans in 2001, Rafi Reavis in 2002 and Mike Cortez, Harvey Carey, Brandon Cablay, Jimmy Alapag and Rob Johnson this year.
Deadline of draft application for home grown players is Dec. 27. Draft day is Jan. 16.