Jaydee Tungcab has formally applied for the upcoming 2021 PBA Rookie Draft, Monday.
And the 23-year-old swingman did so after Japan declared a state of emergency that effectively crushed his B.League dream.
Last December, Tungcab had already signed a contract with Division II team Koshigaya Alphas. However, Japan had a sudden surge in coronavirus cases. Moreover, the Philippines imposed a travel ban due to the new strain of the virus.
Waiting for clearance and his Japanese Visa also meant the 6-foot-2 product of University of the Philippines could not take part in the build-up to the Clark window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers next month.
However, the B.League has declared that it will not allow new imports to enter the league for the rest of its 2020-21 season.
Still, Tungcab did not let another opportunity slip by, declaring for the draft set on March 14.
During his first two years in college, Tungcab was in Adamson. The former Baby Falcon averaged 6.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game there.
A falling out with Soaring Falcons head coach Franz Pumaren led him to transfer to UP.
In Season 81, Tungcab averaged just 1.3 points and 1.1 rebounds in 6.3 minutes of game time. In his senior year, he normed 2.94 points and 1.63 rebounds in just 10 minutes of game time as he served as the team’s lockdown defender.
Tungcab went on to play just four games for Batangas-Tanduay in the MPBL as he became a full-time Gilas Cadet.
He played in one game for Gilas, a 10-minute outing versus Thailand back on November 30.
