By Adrian Stewart Co

Negrense guard Jeffrey Manday’s dream of stepping in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) stage is still alive after receiving a tender offer from the San Miguel Beermen (SMB).

The Bacolod City-native Manday was one of the four players selected by the Beermen during last month’s PBA Season 46 Rookie Draft who were given tender offers aside from Allen Enriquez, Mohammed Salim and Greg Flor.

A tender offer, however, is not yet an actual contract as it only allowed the teams to keep the rights of the players they drafted. Negotiations follow and once an agreement is reached, the Uniform Players’ Contract (UPC) is then submitted to the PBA.

Tender offers are also not an assurance that a player will have a spot in the lineup, as the draftees, especially those selected in the later 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 Beermen.

“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 who were selected during last month’s draft were not given tender offers by their teams.

Ilonggo forward Michael Jay Javelosa was not given a tender offer by the Terrafirma Dyip after picking him in the fourth round but is being considered for the 3×3 squad.

“(Javelosa) and our other rookie draftees who were not extended tender offers will most probably be considered for Terrafirma’s 3×3 team,” Dyip team governor Bobby Rosales said.

Bacolodnon guard Kimlee Bayquin, on the other hand, was not signed by the Blackwater Bossing, which picked him in the fifth round, and is relegated to the free agent market./ASC, WDJ