PBA officials chart courses of action in Las Vegas summit

As the PBA Governors Cup takes a two-week breather to give way to the Gilas games in the September window of the FIBA World Cup eliminator, the PBA board of governors takes the opportunity to map out its plans and programs for next season in a planning session in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Current PBA board chairman Ricky Vargas leads the PBA delegation that flies to the United States Friday.

Meralco board representative Al Panlilio, also the president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, is flying to Las Vegas from New York while PBA commissioner Willie Marcial departed Manila ahead of the group Thursday night.

Vice chairman Dickie Bachmann, treasurer Raymond Zorrilla, NLEX's Rod Franco, San Miguel's Robert Non, Ginebra's Alfrancis Chua, Magnolia's Rene Pardo, NorthPort's Erick Arejola, Columbian Dyip's Bobby Rosales, Rain or Shine's Mert Mondragon, Blackwater's Silliman Sy and PBA secretary and legal counsel Melvin Mendoza will also be with the group.

During the Las Vegas summit, the board is also to formalize the appointment of Gelo Serrano's group as the league's new marketing team. The PBA is to draw its calendar and lay down its thrusts for next season which starts in January. It's very late from usual PBA opener with all the league's breaks to accommodate the national quintet's campaigns in international meets.

"We're going heavier on digital. We're doing a lot more CSR (corporate social responsibility) programs and we'll bring the league closer to the fans," said Marcial on their main thrust.

Also in the agenda is how to be able to help the national team program with less distraction to the league.

Needless to say, the PBA board is committed to help Gilas achieve its goal of making the 2019 World Cup in China. (SB)