The annual draft is being eyed to be slated in the second week of March in 2021, according to PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial.

Starting on December 7, PBA aspirants can submit their applications and the deadline will be in the last week of January next year for both local and Fil-foreign players.

Marcial bared that the PBA D-League requirement had been scrapped.

According to the original draft rules, local players need to suit up for at least seven games in one PBA D-League conference while Fil-foreign cagers must play at least seven games in both Aspirants’ and Foundation Cups before applying to turn pro.

Another eligibility criteria are for the Fil-foreign players to secure their Philippine passport with the certificate of recognition from the Bureau of Immigration and Department of Justice affirmation to prove their Filipino citizenship.

The upcoming 46th season of PBA is being targeted to begin in April, a month after the annual rookie draft said Marcial.

However, no official structure yet as to the number of conferences that will be held has been released.

Marcial is asking the board to give him until either February or March to devise the overall plan for the upcoming season given the Covid-19 situation in the country.

“Sabi ko nga sa board bigyan nila ako hanggang February or March kung paano (patatakbuhin). Tingnan pa natin kung ano ang mangyayari,” he said.

Moreover, the 3×3 tournament is planned to start next year after being shelved in March due to the coronavirus scare.

During the virtual meeting of the league board, they have also decided to cut the awarding of the MVP trophy in the bubble season.

They agreed that they will instead hand out a Best Player of the Conference award for the bubble season of the Philippine Cup.

Marcial bared that the board considered giving special awards since this season is special and should be different from the traditional honors being awarded.

Additional awards include the Outstanding Rookie award and Special Team that will be in lieu of Rookie of the Year and Mythical Team respectively.

Most Improved Player and the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award will be retained during the awards night.

The virtual awards night is to be held tentatively in January.