Business as usual ‘Back-channeling’ could be the key to bringing together warring factions.

It’s business as usual for the PBA. With less than two weeks to go before the opening of the PBA’s 43rd Season, the 12 teams are now in the crucial stage of preparation with pocket tournaments and tuneup matches held since last week while the Commissioner’s Office is doing the same to ensure a successful opening ceremony on December 17.

The PBA’s management committee is scheduled to meet today with its counterpart from broadcasting partner TV5 to discuss specifics about the inaugurals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We’ll discuss with them the opening,” Willie Marcial, the PBA media bureau chief, said yesterday when contacted by the Bulletin. Marcial said Commissioner Chito Narvasa is expected to attend the meeting at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City.

While the ball is rolling, at least for the commissioner’s office, and with the 12 teams looking forward not just to the opening day but to a controversy-free season that starts with the Philippine Cup, the two warring factions within the PBA board remain in a deadlock on the issue surrounding Narvasa’s continued tenure.

The two groups, as proposed by incoming PBA Chairman Ramoncito Fernandez of NLEX – a source bared – was supposed to meet yesterday before the gathering was canceled at the last minute.

The source said several details still need ironing out through “back-channeling”before finally pushing through with the meeting, which may happen before or even after the opening.

“There are ongoing talks,” said the source. “What’s important is that both sides are open and talking for the good of the league and the fans.”

Last week, outgoing chairman Mikee Romero – a member of Congress and team owner of GlobalPort – gave assurance the impasse will end this week.

As if on cue, the Commissioner’s Office released a proposed schedule of games not just for the opening but for the next 12 days.

After the 4 p.m. Opening Ceremonies, Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer – powered by reigning four-time MVP June Mar Fajardo – starts it title-retention bid when it tackles Phoenix Fuel at 6:45 p.m.

The first week schedule of the allFilipino conference will also feature a double-header Christmas Day games featuring NLEX versus GlobalPort at 3 p.m., while Governors’ Cup champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel takes on Magnolia Star at 5:15 p.m. in the latest Manila Clasico at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, .

The last game for year 2017 will occur on December 29 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City as Blackwater battles Rain or Shine at 4:15 p.m., while TNT KaTropa tackles Alaska. The games will resume first week of January 2018.