In an effort to maintain the integrity and fairness of the draft process and promote parity in the league, Premier Volleyball League (PVL) president Ricky Palou announced that teams will retain the draft rights to their selected players for a minimum of three years.
Palou explained that this measure aims to allow teams to secure their drafted players without undue influence from other squads.
“If the teams that drafted them wants the players tapos hindi sila nagkasundo, the players don’t become free agents,” Palou told reporters after the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft last Monday at the Novotel.
“As long as the team complies with the rules that we set, that we put in place, the players that they drafted still belongs to them. If after one year wala pa rin, the draft rights will belong to them for at least three years.”
The rule is designed to prevent scenarios where other teams might try to persuade players to reject contracts with their original drafting teams, tempting them instead with offers to join their team.
(C) PVL Images
“Kasi what we are afraid of is – ayaw namin yung sasabihin ng teams [sa players na magpapa-draft], ‘Wag ka na [pumirma] next year, ako na ang kukuha sa’yo.’ Ayaw natin yung ganun ‘di ba?” said Palou.
“So for three years, the rights will belong to the team that drafted them.”
Palou also stated that teams will have until just before the start of the Reinforced Conference to sign their draft picks.
According to the stipulated rookie salary scale, the first overall selection is set to receive P150,000 monthly, with subsequent picks earning P135,000, P120,000, and P110,000 per month for the second, third, and fourth overall selections respectively.
For other draft picks, a minimum salary offer of P50,000 is mandated, although first-round picks can negotiate up to a maximum of P100,000 monthly. The remaining draft selections are subject to a ceiling of P80,000 per month.
A total of 23 players were selected in the first-ever PVL Rookie Draft, with La Salle’s Thea Gagate headlining the 2024 Draft class after being chosen by ZUS Coffee with the top overall pick.
“Well, we’re very happy kasi we did not expect it to be this successful and everything turned out really well. We’re happy for everybody, we’re just sorry for those who were not drafted,” said Palou.
