NCAA okays bid of PBA hopefuls

NCAA players planning to apply for the PBA rookie draft this year may do so provided they formally inform the league.

The NCAA said it is instituting the particular requirement as an official rule to avoid a repetition of last year’s incident involving Yousif Aljamal of San Beda that nearly led to a  court case.

Aljamal, now with Talk n Text, was suspended for failing to inform the NCAA of his PBA bid, forcing San Beda to seek a TRO (temporary restraining order). The two camps, however, settled the issue amicably.

“It was a sad incident but it opened our eyes so we hope to avoid the same incident this season,” said NCAA Management Committee chair Ding Lozano of host Mapua in yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Shakey’s Pizza in UN Ave., Manila.

NCAA spokesperson Henry Atayde of St. Benilde said the new directive should clear things up even more.

“We must admit that the particular rule is really vague,” said Atayde. “But we’re doing our best to make this season better than last year.”

Last year’s MVP Kelvin dela Peña of Mapua and Beau Belga of returnee Philippine Christian U are tipped to lead the current NCAA batch to file for the PBA draft in August.

Meanwhile, the league also implemented another rule restricting a member school from fielding more than two imports at the same time to level the playing field following the entry of foreign players.

A heavy four-game bill will usher in Season 84 on June 28 at the Big Dome with Mapua battling back-to-back NCAA champion San Beda at 2 p.m. Jose Rizal goes up against Letran at 4 p.m.; Perpetual Help and San Sebastian square off at 6 p.m. while PCU collides with St. Benilde at 8 p.m.              

An elaborate opening rites at 12 noon will formally open the league with a theme: “To The Fore at 84:

Building Bridges Through Sports.”

“I guess this year’s would be more exciting than last year because we’re back to eight teams,” said Lozano.

The Dolphins, to be coached by Joel Dualan, are making their return after serving out a one-year suspension.

PCU, which joined the NCAA in 1996 before winning its first and only title in 2004, will take an indefinite leave of absence next season.