Raiding the ranks

SJ Belangel would’ve played two more years for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament as a Master’s student but has chosen to renounce his varsity eligibility for the chance to play in the Korean league as a pro. Dwight Ramos also had two years of UAAP eligibility with Ateneo when he opted to join the Japanese B.League.

Belangel has finished his undergraduate studies and could’ve entered the PBA draft this year. SJ’ll be a fan favorite overseas for sure, considering he’s remembered for hitting the Hail Mary three that lifted Gilas to an 81-78 win over Korea in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers last year. Ramos was recruited from Cal Poly Pomona to play for Ateneo in 2019 but the pandemic struck, leading him to suit up in Japan.

Thirdy Ravena and Justine Baltazar completed their UAAP tours of duty before entertaining offers abroad. Ravena has now played in two B.League seasons while Baltazar is making his debut this year. Neither has applied for the PBA draft although that remains to be an alternative down the road. Another UAAP standout Ricci Rivero skipped the draft after ending his eligibility with UP this season. The PBA rule is a player who dodges the draft on his first window of eligibility may apply within three years through a special lottery or after a five-year sit-out.

It’s no surprise that Asian leagues are zeroing in on Filipino players to beef up rosters because of their skills and drawing power. There are Filipino fans all over Asia and they’re a big market for ticket sales. In the B.League, teams are given the choice of recruiting an Asian import or a naturalized player. Obviously, a naturalized player is more expensive so high-budget, top-tier squads are inclined to sign up the likes of Ira Brown, Nick Fazekas, Ryan Rossiter, Gavin Edwards, Edward Morris, Thomas Kennedy and Nyika Williams who carry Japanese passports. The lower-budget teams will settle for Asian imports, more often than not Filipinos. The B.League follows FIBA guidelines in recognizing Asian imports, meaning only Filipino “locals” and not Fil-foreigners who obtained their passports after 16. In Taiwan, Fil-foreigners Jason Brickman and Jordan Heading are considered Asian imports as is KG Canaleta.

There’s no stopping foreign leagues from raiding the ranks of the PBA, UAAP and others. If the price is right, players will go where the money is because it’s their profession. Of course, there are other considerations, like relocation, quality of competition and getting along with teammates and coaches. It’s like players from Serbia, Slovenia, Italy, France, Greece and other countries moving to the NBA to get rich and play at the highest level.  Greek fans don’t hate Giannis Antetokounmpo for not playing in the Greek league and suiting up in the NBA instead. Slovenian fans also aren’t taking it against Luka Doncic for leaving to take the NBA route. Eventually, they’ll go back to play at home as in the case of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bogut.

But there has to be a clause in every Filipino player’s foreign contract that if called to see action for the national team, he will be allowed. Ramos, for instance, was held back by his B.League team from playing in the recent SEA Games. SBP should coordinate with FIBA to make sure the non-negotiable clause is in every player’s contract. Additionally, every Filipino or Fil-foreigner leaving a local league to play overseas must secure SBP clearance before signing a foreign contract.