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PBA teams looking to beef up their rosters with veteran experience or young legs before heading to Clark’s bubble have a large pool of free agents to choose from.
Sol Mercado, Ronald Tubid, RR García, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Ping Exciminiano, Jason Ballesteros, Yousef Taha, Davon Potts, Jansen Rios, JK Casiño, Jerramy King and Julian Sargent are available, but the teams will only have until September 23 to make a move for any of them, according to PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial. Veterans Sonny Thoss and PJ Simon are also technically available, but both players previously announced their retirement.
Marcial added that teams have been given the green light to extend expiring contracts and add an additional player to the roster before they head to the bubble at the Quest Hotel within the Clark Freeport Zone for the resumption of the season, which is scheduled for October 9. it will be allowed once the teams can play again.
“It’s allowed. Now you can get a free agent. That is our only transaction, the contract extension and the free agent. First there are no concessions. Maybe the negotiation will start when we skirmish,” Marcial said.
However, the dates are currently fluid, as they are contingent on the approval of the Interagency Task Force regarding their request to allow five-on-five games.
One team that has made a move is TNT KaTropa, who selected big man Chris Javier from Blackwater’s list of unrestricted free agents (entitled to pay).
“He’ll be a great addition for us. He can bounce, hit the outside shot and play defense,” TNT team manager Gabby Cui told ESPN5.
Javier is signed until December 31 and is ready to take over on the list left open by Kelly Williams, who recently announced her retirement. The fourth-year player saw hardly any action for the Elite at the recent Governor’s Cup, adding just 1.8pts, 0.5 rebounds and 0.5 steals in just four games as he competed for minutes on a charged Blackwater front.
Each team will be allowed to bring 25 people to the bubble of the months. This includes players, coaches, and team personnel. If you violate the protocol established by the PBA and the IATF, you will be fined P100,000, one month’s salary, and a five-game suspension next season.
