Sedrick Barefield, Caelan Tiongson, RJ Abarrientos, and Dave Ildefonso will miss the 2024 PBA Draft festivities scheduled for Sunday at the Glorietta 4 Activity Center in Makati City due to prior commitments abroad.
The quartet, expected to be selected in the first round, are currently overseas.
Barefield remains in California and is anticipated to return to the Philippines in the next couple of weeks, according to Anton Brodett, founder of the Phenom Championship Clinic.
At 27 years old, Barefield is considered a top prospect in a lean rookie class, with Justine Baltazar projected to go first overall to Converge.
Sources within multiple teams have revealed that Blackwater has been in frequent communication with Barefield and his representatives over the past week, intending to finalize a contract once he is drafted.
Meanwhile, Tiongson, Abarrientos, and Ildefonso are fulfilling their commitments with the Strong Group at the ongoing 43rd William Jones Cup.
They are expected to return to the Philippines on July 22.
Ben Phillips, a 6-foot-8 center from La Salle, will also be absent from the draft festivities.
Despite not playing in PBA Season 49 due to his involvement in a startup in the US, any team that drafts Phillips will retain his rights.
