Big plans for PBA

The PBA’s 50th season will kick off with a grand reunion of the league’s players from when the league started in 1975 but commissioner Willie Marcial said there are other landmark plans on the table to make it an even more memorable anniversary.

Without disclosing details, Marcial said two foreign teams are interested to join the Commissioner’s Cup next season and the league is exploring the possibility of playing official games in two countries. “’Di muna natin sasabihin kung anong mga teams at anong mga countries kasi preliminary talks sa kasalukuyan,” said Marcial.

The PBA has welcomed 12 foreign teams since the Melbourne Panthers and Palmeiras of Brazil broke ground in 1977. The other teams were Adidas Rubberworld of France and Nicholas Stoodley in 1980, South Korea national team in 1982, Novi Sad, Jilin Tigers of China and Yonsei University of South Korea in 2003, US Pro-Am Select in 2004, UBC Thunderbirds of Canada in 2004, Bay Area Dragons in 2022-23 and Hong Kong Eastern in 2024-25. Only Nicholas Stoodley won a PBA championship.

Playing abroad is not new to the PBA which has held games in Indonesia, Guam, Hong Kong and Dubai. Last year, Marcial visited Toronto and Calgary, triggering speculation that Canada may be a possible host for the PBA in the future.

Over 1,200 players have seen action in the PBA which is now in the process of inviting everyone for the 50th season opening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The anniversary roll-out began last April 9, the day when the PBA held its first-ever game. The Rizal Memorial Coliseum was the venue with the PBA giving out 5,000 PBA at 50 shirts to fans. “Sinimulan ang basketball sa Rizal,” said Marcial. “Nagbigay ng pugay at respeto ang PBA sa basketball, hindi lang sa PBA kundi sa buong basketball community. Sorry sa mga hindi nakakuha kasi pinahanda ko lang 5,000 shirts pero lumampas. Babawi na lang kami sa susunod.”