It’s going to be business as usual as the Philippine Basketball Association will not stop its on-court activities when it gives way for the country’s hosting of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial told Daily Tribune that they will find ways to remain busy when most of their players join Gilas Pilipinas in the prestigious 32-nation conclave that the country will co-host with Japan and Indonesia set from 25 August to 10 September.
As part of its commitment to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the country’s professional basketball league decided to alter its calendar from the original three-conference format to just two to give way for the World Cup.
The league is set to stop its games starting April next year as most of its players will be joining the Gilas Pilipinas pool in its buildup tentatively set in Europe and the United States.
Still, Marcial said they will stay busy by staging activities in various provinces.
“We’ll find activities,” Marcial told a small group of reporters at the PBA press room recently.
“We cannot stop and we cannot be idle for more than three months. I’m sure the fans will still look for PBA activities.”
The PBA chief said they are looking at staging pocket tournaments in various provinces.
“We’re planning to join tournaments elsewhere or probably hold a mini-tournament of our own in the provinces while some of our players, Gilas Pilipinas and the SBP are preparing for the World Cup.”
It’s been a while since the league held out of town matches.
With the coronavirus pandemic rearing its ugly head, the league was forced to hold two conferences under bubble setup in Pampanga — the first in Clark and the second in Bacolor — before making a return to Metro Manila this season.
Now, with everything running smoothly, the league is looking at bringing back road games with Passi, Iloilo being eyed as venue for the ongoing 47th season.
