PBA to hold special Gilas Pilipinas round for rookie draft

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Board of Governors has approved a special Gilas Pilipinas round in the upcoming rookie draft.

The development was confirmed by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president and Meralco Bolts governor Al Panlilio on Thursday.

The SBP president said Gilas will still select the players from the pool and will be submitted for consideration to the PBA.

Gilas cadets who submitted their names for the PBA draft include college standouts Calvin Oftana, Will Navarro, and Jaydee Tungcab.

This will be the third time that the league held a special round for Gilas. The PBA first held a special Gilas round back in 2016 and the second in 2019.

Draft picks from the 2019 Gilas round Isaac Go, Matt and Mike Nieto, Allyn Bulanadi, and Rey Suerte are currently on loan to the national team from their mother clubs.

There are 97 applicants for this year's draft which will be held on March 14. —Justin Kenneth Carandang/MGP, GMA News