Green light for Alex?
March 1, 2006 | 12:00am
Will Alex Compton finally be allowed to play in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)?
Welcoat has made a "special" request to enlist the crack guard from Cornell University when it debuts in the PBA next season.
PBA commissioner Noli Eala said yesterday Compton himself did not make the request. Compton had previously asked to be included in the PBA draft twice but a decision on both requests was deferred.
"We never denied his applications," stressed Eala. "The Board of Governors deferred making a decision one way or the other because of pressing matters, like the Fil-foreigner issue."
It didnt seem timely to accept Comptons application when there were doubts on the authenticity of heritage claims of certain Fil-foreigners. Compton was born here to American parents and has no Filipino lineage so if he is allowed to play in the PBA as a local, it would be an exception although not unprecedented. Two US-born cagers Billy Robinson and Israel (Cisco) Oliver were given the go-signal to play as locals in the PBAs early years.
Eala said Welcoat added the "special" request in negotiating terms for its entry into the league. He qualified it was by no means an imposition.
Although several members of the PBA Board are inclined to permit Comptons application, Eala said a decision may not come immediately.
Even assuming Compton gets the green light, its not certain if hell play for Welcoat.
Under terms of its entry, Welcoat will be able to elevate three players from its Philippine Basketball League roster as of last Dec. 31. Compton was not in Welcoats lineup and still isnt. So if the PBA gives in to Welcoats "special" request, Compton will be its fourth "direct hire" from the amateur ranks.
Another option is for the PBA to allow Compton to join the draft this August. Welcoat has the 10th and last pick in the first round. If Compton is still available by the time Welcoats turn comes up, hell wind up with the Paint Masters. But the likelihood is Compton will be tapped before Welcoat has the chance to grab him.
Eala said citing Robinson and Oliver as precedents may or may not strengthen Comptons case.
"When Robinson and Oliver played, there was really no clear-cut All-Filipino conference," said Eala. "They were allowed to play so as to balance the competition because Crispa and Toyota were too dominant. Besides, they were married to Filipinas. So the circumstances are a little different from the situation today."
Compton said hell reapply for the draft if its not taken to mean hes pushing himself too much.
"Regarding me not applying again, I wasnt sure when I should and didnt know if theyd need me to apply again since I applied twice already," said Compton. "I thought I might seem makulit. But if they want me to apply again, Ill definitely do it."
By the way, Eala said a protect-10 dispersal draft will be conducted to give Welcoat the opportunity to recruit veterans from other PBA teams.
As for Compton, hes not taking a step back in preaching the gospel of basketball, sportsmanship and Christian values. With coach Eric Altamirano, Compton is organizing the Elite Basketball Camp at the Brent International School in Mamplasan, Laguna, on April 7-12.
Some 80 third and fourth year high school players from Metro Manila are participating in the all-expense-paid, by-invitation-only, six-day stay-in camp where former National Basketball Association player David Wood will be involved as a teacher.
"Having played in the Philippines for over eight years now, I have seen players at all levels," said Compton. "Ive noticed the true passion for the game Filipinos have. Yet I have also noticed a shortage of the type of excellent coaching at an early age that helped me so much in my own career. Being aware that no overnight, intense training and intense basketball camps exist in the Philippines, coach Eric and I spoke and we decided to start the Elite camp."
More about the Elite camp in tomorrows column.
Welcoat has made a "special" request to enlist the crack guard from Cornell University when it debuts in the PBA next season.
PBA commissioner Noli Eala said yesterday Compton himself did not make the request. Compton had previously asked to be included in the PBA draft twice but a decision on both requests was deferred.
"We never denied his applications," stressed Eala. "The Board of Governors deferred making a decision one way or the other because of pressing matters, like the Fil-foreigner issue."
It didnt seem timely to accept Comptons application when there were doubts on the authenticity of heritage claims of certain Fil-foreigners. Compton was born here to American parents and has no Filipino lineage so if he is allowed to play in the PBA as a local, it would be an exception although not unprecedented. Two US-born cagers Billy Robinson and Israel (Cisco) Oliver were given the go-signal to play as locals in the PBAs early years.
Eala said Welcoat added the "special" request in negotiating terms for its entry into the league. He qualified it was by no means an imposition.
Although several members of the PBA Board are inclined to permit Comptons application, Eala said a decision may not come immediately.
Even assuming Compton gets the green light, its not certain if hell play for Welcoat.
Under terms of its entry, Welcoat will be able to elevate three players from its Philippine Basketball League roster as of last Dec. 31. Compton was not in Welcoats lineup and still isnt. So if the PBA gives in to Welcoats "special" request, Compton will be its fourth "direct hire" from the amateur ranks.
Another option is for the PBA to allow Compton to join the draft this August. Welcoat has the 10th and last pick in the first round. If Compton is still available by the time Welcoats turn comes up, hell wind up with the Paint Masters. But the likelihood is Compton will be tapped before Welcoat has the chance to grab him.
Eala said citing Robinson and Oliver as precedents may or may not strengthen Comptons case.
"When Robinson and Oliver played, there was really no clear-cut All-Filipino conference," said Eala. "They were allowed to play so as to balance the competition because Crispa and Toyota were too dominant. Besides, they were married to Filipinas. So the circumstances are a little different from the situation today."
Compton said hell reapply for the draft if its not taken to mean hes pushing himself too much.
"Regarding me not applying again, I wasnt sure when I should and didnt know if theyd need me to apply again since I applied twice already," said Compton. "I thought I might seem makulit. But if they want me to apply again, Ill definitely do it."
By the way, Eala said a protect-10 dispersal draft will be conducted to give Welcoat the opportunity to recruit veterans from other PBA teams.
As for Compton, hes not taking a step back in preaching the gospel of basketball, sportsmanship and Christian values. With coach Eric Altamirano, Compton is organizing the Elite Basketball Camp at the Brent International School in Mamplasan, Laguna, on April 7-12.
Some 80 third and fourth year high school players from Metro Manila are participating in the all-expense-paid, by-invitation-only, six-day stay-in camp where former National Basketball Association player David Wood will be involved as a teacher.
"Having played in the Philippines for over eight years now, I have seen players at all levels," said Compton. "Ive noticed the true passion for the game Filipinos have. Yet I have also noticed a shortage of the type of excellent coaching at an early age that helped me so much in my own career. Being aware that no overnight, intense training and intense basketball camps exist in the Philippines, coach Eric and I spoke and we decided to start the Elite camp."
More about the Elite camp in tomorrows column.
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