MANILA – Negrense guard Jeffrey Manday’s dream of stepping into the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) stage is still alive after getting an offer from San Miguel Beermen (SMB).
Manday – a native of Bacolod City – is one of the four players selected by the Beermen during last month’s Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 46 Rookie Draft that was given tender offers aside from Allen Enriquez, Mohammed Salim, and Greg Flor.
However, a tender offer is not an actual contract. It only allows the team to keep the rights on the players it drafted. Also, it does not assure that a player will secure a spot in the lineup as the draftees – especially those selected in the latter rounds – will be fighting for a place in the active roster.
“I am thankful that San Miguel Beermen have given me a tender offer but I know that I still have to work hard to realize my dream of playing in the PBA,” said Manday, who was selected in the sixth round by the team.
“I want to show the SMB coaching staff that I deserve to be part of this team. It is just unfortunate that we are in ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) right now but I am continuing my personal workout,” he added.
Unlike the former Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias star, two other Western Visayas-based players selected during last month’s draft were not given tender offers by their teams.
Ilonggo forward Michael Jay Javelosa has not received the offer from Terrafirma Dyip after picking him in the fourth round.
“[Javelosa] and our other rookie draftees that were not extended tender offers will most probably be considered for Terrafirma’s 3×3 team,” Dyip team governor Bobby Rosales said.
On the other hand, Bacolodnon guard Kimlee Bayquin was not signed by the Blackwater Bossing which picked him in the fifth round and is relegated to the free-agent market./PN
