PBA Lays Out Plans for 50th Anniversary Unveiling

AS THE WORLD of basketball expands, so does the need to level the playing field in leagues around the world. This has been the goal for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). 

On Monday, February 10, the oldest professional basketball league in Asia presented its gold-colored logo in honor of the league’s 50th anniversary on April 9, the day it was founded.

The grand opener of Season 50, however, is scheduled for October 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, a day that will serve as a homecoming for everyone who has been involved in the league throughout the years. 

Along with this, they have several more long-term plans for the league, such as analyzing the league’s terrain and developing plans beyond basketball.

Golden Year for PBA

The league is intending to put out programs to strengthen its relationship with its supporters. The PBA’s plans include mall and school trips with all 12 teams and their players. 

Along with the adopt-a-court campaign and the reintroduction of the “Homecourt,” where the league pays surprise visits to several courts throughout the National Capital Region (NCR).

“‘Di ‘to pinlano lang agad-agad. Pinlano namin ‘to since nung planning pa [last year], pero gusto lang naming isa-isahin ‘yung mga plano namin,” said Board of Governors Vice Chairman Alfrancis Chua to a media. 

“We want to reach out. Ibalik natin ‘yung pag-punta sa mga basketball courts kung saan galing mga players para ma-realize nila kung saan sila galing, at ‘yung mga naglalaro sa NCAA at UAAP to follow their footsteps.”

“Exciting ‘to dahil magiging napakalaking event ‘to. Gagawin nating very big event ito para matuwa ang mga tao,” he went on to explain.

Aside from those ambitions, the league also hinted at a bombshell plan involving another league. A plan that might boost the league’s status and restore its level of competitiveness. 

What’s The Plan?

In recent years, we’ve seen a number of talented young players graduate from their different institutions and take their talents to other leagues in Asia, particularly the well-known Japan B League. 

The exodus of local talent began with Thirdy and Kiefer Ravena and progressed to include Dwight Ramos, Kai Sotto, Ray Parks Jr., Matthew Wright, and many others who chose to play in the Japan league.

While young stars such as La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao, UP’s Carl Tamayo and JD Cagulangan, Ateneo’s SJ Belangel, and Benilde’s Miguel Oczon and Justin Gutang chose to play in the Korean Basketball League (KBL). 

With that in mind, the Philippine league hinted at a potential crossover between two of Asia’s greatest professional leagues. PBA and Japan B.League are presently collaborating to commemorate their 50th anniversary.

“May plano, may talks na kami, pero ayaw pa munang ipa-sabi ng B.League. May plano na, baka exhibition games,” said PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial on Monday at the sidelines of the press conference.

Acceptance is the Key

According to Ricky Vargas, Chairman of the PBA Board of Governors, this step reflects the league’s commitment to continuing to cement their pioneer status and improve its standard of play as Asia’s first play-for-play league.

“We cannot be the best if we cannot excel. We want to stay the best, but we recognize na hindi na tayo nag-iisa in Asia. Today, we have leagues in Japan, Korea, and Taipei,” he explained.

“In order for us to stay the best, we have to lead. We have the EASL, and we are going to have games with the B.League of Japan. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is also very much involved in Taiwan.”

“With the SBP and the PBA, we will stay as the best in Asia. But we have to excel. We excel in Gilas, we have Alfrancis [Chua], and we have the best league that can support Gilas,” he added.

Meanwhile, the PBA is looking to work with professional leagues in Mongolia and Korea in the aim of not only attracting more fans, but also returning the league to its glory days and excelling even more.