MANILA – The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has rolled out a stricter free agency policy aimed at curbing player departures to foreign leagues.
Under a board-approved resolution passed and implemented recently, any player who declines a contract renewal from his current team and opts to sign with another league will be barred from returning to the PBA for three years.
The move has already impacted former Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings forward Jamie Malonzo and ex-Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots’ William Navarro.
Malonzo has inked a deal with Kyoto Hannaryz in Japan’s B.League Division 1, while Navarro has joined the Busan KCC Egis in the Korean Basketball League.
The regulation also covers rookies who were drafted but refused to sign a PBA contract, choosing instead to play elsewhere.
This scenario looms for MPBL Most Valuable Player frontrunner Dave Ildefonso, who has yet to finalize terms with NorthPort Batang Pier after his stint with Abra Weavers.
Batang Pier forward Arvin Tolentino, who signed with KBL runners-up Seoul SK Knights in May, could also fall under the restriction.
Exceptions to the ban include players who have achieved unrestricted free agent status—either by completing seven years or 21 conferences in the league or if their team fails to extend a contract offer within 30 days of expiration.
League officials say the measure is intended to protect the integrity of team rosters while giving local fans more continuity in following their favorite stars./PN
