MANILA – Calvin Oftana and Aljun Melecio opted not to use their final year of eligibility with San Beda University Red Lions and De La Salle University Green Archers, respectively, as they threw their names to the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft.
The Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental native Oftana announced the decision to leave the Red Lions on Tuesday afternoon, the day he also submitted his application for the draft slated on March 14.
“I am now taking off my red and white jersey to begin a new chapter in my basketball career. San Beda University has molded me to become a better man and I’ll carry those lessons with me through the rest of my life on and off the court,” Oftana said.
The 6-foot-5 Oftana, the NCAA Season 95 MVP, was the third Gilas aspirant to submit an application this week as fellow national men’s basketball team teammates William Navarro and Jaydee Tungcab also formally applied Monday.
Melecio, on the other hand, beat the deadline for the filling of draft application on Wednesday as he foregoes his fifth year with the Green Archers come UAAP Season 84 later this year.
“This is a painful announcement, but it is one I have to make: I am entering the 2021 PBA Draft,” the 22-year-old native of Valencia City, Bukidnon said in an interview with Tiebreaker Times.
Unlike Melecio, his Green Archers teammate Justine Baltazar decided to suit up for DLSU for one more year and also focus on national men’s basketball team duty as he did not join the already deep class of 2021 rookie aspirants.
Others who have submitted their draft application on Tuesday were Jerrick Ahanmisi, Alec Stockton, Filipino-Australian gunner Jordan Headings, Filipino-American guard Mikey Williams, Larry Muyang, Benedict Adamos and David Murrell.
Earlier passing their application were Jamie Malonzo, James Laput, Jun Manzo, Dhon Reverente, Ilonggo Michael Jay Javelosa, Bacolodnon Kimlee Bayquin and Philip Manalang.
The PBA said the league hit a new record in terms of rookie aspirants with 94 applicants and it is still expected to grow further by the deadline on Wednesday evening. /PN
