Players choose Japan over PBA

THE recent news that Kobe Paras has signed with Japan B.League team Niigata Albirex BB was no longer surprising. He will join other Filipinos set to play in Japan this year such as the Ravena brothers (Kiefer and Thirdy), the Gomez de Llano brothers (Juan and Javi), Kenmark Cariño, and Ray Parks Jr.

With their signings, it's safe to say Paras, Thirdy, the GDLs and Cariño are not likely to join next year's PBA Draft as the B.League season usually ends in March, not to mention the possible offer for contract extensions. This is already Thirdy's second season in Japan which means he has skipped the PBA Draft twice.