There should be few, if any, problems for PBA 3×3 ball clubs when it comes to building competitive squads.
Chairman Dickie Bachmann said that the teams could hire players directly for the standalone league, which has already received the green light by the PBA Board of Governors, Friday, to run its inaugural season this year.
“The players will be direct-hire,” the long-time executive told Tiebreaker Times moments after the board meeting.
Teams can sign those undrafted from the upcoming PBA Rookie Draft in March, or from the free agent pool. This would mean that ranked 3×3 players who have already been to the PBA — like Dylan Ababou, Karl Dehesa, Chris De Chavez, and Ryan Monteclaro — can be signed by teams. In addition, teams can also sign players from other pro basketball leagues that have not entered the draft.
Players, according to Bachman, will be signed to a one-season contract, and will receive game bonuses as well.
“They will have a one-season contract, and they will also have game bonuses. But ‘pag panalo, the prize money will be it,” he said.
“The players will be direct-hire and the leftovers from this coming draft. We can also tap free agents.”
Eligibility won’t be an issue as well. Bachmann said that PBA 3×3 will follow FIBA 3×3’s rules on eligibility, which are not strict.
“With eligibility, the FIBA 3X3 rules will be followed. It’s lenient kasi kailangan lang ng passport. Pwede naman ‘yung mga Fil-Ams na hindi pa kumpleto ‘yung papers,” he explained.
“Basta may passport, okay na.”
Bachmann, however, made it clear that being eligible for PBA 3×3 doesn’t mean that they have clearance for the 5-on-5.
“But it doesn’t mean that just because they are okay with PBA 3X3, okay na sa PBA 5-on-5,” said Bachmann, who is also the team governor of the Alaska Aces.
“That’s totally separate.”
The league is eyeing eighteen teams for the tournament, including the 12 current PBA teams. The other six teams are still being finalized.
There is also no final decision on the format, as the league still awaits the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
