By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The 2021 PBA Rookie draft is all set as 86 eligible professional basketball aspirants were able to beat the deadline regarding the completion of all the necessary documents and requirements.
From the total first batch count of 97 total draft applicants, 11 of them weren’t able to comply with the requirements to secure their final spot for the March 14 event.
10 Filipino-foreigners and one local player weren’t able to make it including top potential picks in the draft like Jason Brickman, Taylor Statham, Jeremiah Gray, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.
Reports confirmed that Brickman, Gray, Statham, and Ganuelas-Rosser weren’t able to present their Department of Justice and Bureau of Immigration documents on time, the reason for their disqualification in the draft.
Other popular Fil-foreign players who did not make the final list were Tyrus Hill, Christopher Cancio, John Paul Gulfo, Ezra Ocampo, JJ Espanola, and John Paul Zarco.
Despite the absence of Fil-foreign players, the 2021 PBA rookie class is still considered as one of the most-stacked batches with the presence of Joshua Munzon, Jamie Malonzo, Alvin Pasaol, Calvin Oftana, and Santi Santillan.
