Longer PBA season okayed; San Mig team to beat

After a stormy 2018, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is now expecting its rainbow to come out this coming 44th season of the country’s premier sporting league.

During its press conference yesterday at the Conrad Hotel, PBA chairman Ricky Vargas admits 2018 was a difficult year for them because of various issues that hounded the league.

But Vargas is optimistic that all the talks and planning they had along the way would come to fruition starting this season.

“We decided to define what divided us was an issue in our constitution and by-laws. We started talking about that openly, we defined what the issues are and now we are ready to implement the changes,’ said Vargas.

Among the issues Vargas said they will try to settle within this season is the league’s involvement with the national team and the specific tenure of future commissioners which was a tacky matter that nearly polarized team governors.

Commissioner Willie Marcial revealed that the PBA will have a full year to achieve these plans as the upcoming season, which will start January 13, will end January of 2020.

The January to January league calendar, Marcial disclosed, is also a testament to the league’s commitment to support the country’s busy international basketball schedule this year.

“Meron tayong FIBA window sa February kung papasok tayo, titigil tayo at suportado yan ng board. Tigil din ang PBA sa SEA Games, susuportahan natin si chairman sa SEA Games,” said Marcial.

Also being implemented are changes in the league rules, specifically the adopting of a good number of FIBA-brand of officiating.

While most team governors regard San Miguel Beer as the team to beat, it was unanimous for all team executives that it is going to be a tough battle for each and every ballclub in all three conferences.

“San Miguel is a strong team but if you follow the movements the past month in the draft, you could see that each team tried to improve,” said Phoenix governor Atty. Raymond Zorilla. “Like us, we could have gotten younger by choosing fourth, but we traded for experienced players who was an all-star.”

“The games have become more exciting, games are close. The records sometimes might not show it pero hindi naman masyado tambakan sa expect an exciting All-Filipino,” said Meralco governor Al Panlilio.

SMB Governor Robert Non, meanwhile, downplayed the team-to-beat tag, noting that the Beermen won only one of three PBA titles last season, the Philippine Cup.

“Yung first championship namin with JuneMar (Fajardo) nung 2014, anim na lang ang natira sa lineup na yun. Sana ma-develop yung system na makapag-adopt yung bagong recruits namin,” said Non.

All eyes will still be on San Miguel as apart from maintaining its core, the Beermen will be parading new recruit Terrence Romeo, a volatile player on and, sometimes, off the court, whose splendid hardcourt exploits have been overshadowed by a number of controversial issues.

“We will give him a team na ready to help him win a championship. It’s all up to him kasi sinabi ko naman sa kaniya, ikaw ang dapat mag-adjust, hindi mga teammates mo,” added SMC sports chief Alfrancis Chua.

The PBA will open its season this Sunday at the Philippine Arena in in Bocaue, Bulacan with the staging of the Annual Leo awards mid-afternoon, followed by the opening ceremonies and the season’s initial game that will pit Ginebra vs TNT KaTropa.