The PBA will have to wait for Will Navarro as he stays with the national team, with Gilas Pilipinas set to pick him in the upcoming PBA Draft.

Navarro initially begged off from being part of the special Gilas Pilipinas draft but the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced on Monday, February 15 that he had a change of heart.

“[H]is stint inside the Gilas Pilipinas training bubble has convinced him that this would be the best direction for his development as a basketball player,” said SBP president Al Panlilio in a statement.

The 6-foot-6 forward, who played a key role when the Ateneo Blue Eagles completed a three-peat in the UAAP, will join Jaydee Tungcab, Jordan Heading, and Tzaddy Rangel as the special draftees.

Navarro decided to forego his final year in the UAAP as he eventually became a part of the national team pool.

He saw action in the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers, putting up 4 points, 1 rebound, and 1 steal in the Philippines 32-point thrashing of Thailand.

Panlilio thanked the PBA for allowing Navarro to shift to the special draft.

“We know that a lot of teams had their eyes on Navarro but the board of governors saw past that to consider the needs of Gilas,” said Panlilio.

“He will be the last addition to our pool to give PBA teams enough time to map our their game plan for the upcoming draft.” – Rappler.com