PBA Draft goes to Robinsons Manila

MANILA, Philippines – The 2011 Annual PBA Rookie Draft has found a new home.

After years of holding the annual event at Market Market in Taguig, the PBA has forged a partnership with the Robinsons Land Corporation to stage it at Robinsons Place Manila on August 28.

"The rookie draft marks a new beginning, and this new partnership with Robinsons gives us a new beginning too," said PBA Commissioner Chito Salud.

Salud signed the Memorandum of Agreement with the Robinsons officials led by Property Management vice president Tommy Lee O this morning at the PBA Office in Libis, Quezon City.

Also in attendance were Robinsons Land Commercial Centers Division general manager Arlene Magtibay and marketing communications manager Eunice Gonzales.

The PBA has been holding memorabilia exhibits at Robinsons Malls since last summer and its success paved the way to extend the partnership.

"We're very happy that the PBA will hold this very important event (rookie draft) at Robinsons Place Manila. This will be a great treat to our mall goers and to the fans," Lee O said.

Robinsons Manila is a seven-level shopping complex that boasts world-class amenities and a wide atrium to accommodate PBA aspirants and an expected large turnout of fans during the event. 

The deadline for submission of application and requirements is on July 29 for Fil-foreign players and August 18 for local aspirants.

A 15-day grace period from August 1 to 15 will be given to contest the eligibility of Fil-foreign players who will apply in the draft.

The PBA Commissioner's Office will release the final list of candidates for the PBA Annual Draft on Aug. 18. All eligible aspirants will display their skills in a four-day Rookie Camp that will run from August 23 to 26. Video by Cris Cayanan