SIGNED. NorthPort team manager Bonnie Tan and player agent PJ Pilares join Will Navarro (center) in signing a contract on Monday (Oct. 24, 2022). Navarro signed a two-year contract with Batang Pier. (Photo courtesy of Tan)
MANILA – Will Navarro has signed a two-conference deal with NorthPort as confirmed by Team Manager Bonnie Tan to the Philippine News Agency.
The contract signing essentially put a closure to his contract issues with the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) team and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Present during the contract signing on Monday were Tan, Navarro, and his player agent PJ Pilares.
Navarro was the second pick in the special Gilas Pilipinas round of the 2021 PBA Draft, which gave NorthPort draft rights for him while he stayed full-time with the national team.
However, the dilemma regarding his contract began when the Seoul Samsung Thunders of the Korean Basketball League announced that they have recruited Navarro as their Asian import.
The SBP rejected the plea of the Korean Basketball Association to let him play in Seoul because he remains under contract with Gilas.
Navarro owned up to his mistake and assured that he will honor his Gilas contract, which includes joining NorthPort if he gets released.
Navarro officially signing with NorthPort means that the SBP has released him from his Gilas duties.
Currently at 3-3, the team got a much needed boost in the frontcourt especially since they traded Jamie Malonzo to Ginebra before the start of the Commissioner's Cup.
Navarro is expected to make his PBA debut on Wednesday night when the Batang Pier battle the San Miguel Beermen at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. (PNA)
