Willie Marcial —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Eager to play a full season for the first time in two years, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is just putting the finishing touches on preparations for the Philippine Cup which kicks off its 47th Season on June 5.
“We’re now just waiting for what [health] protocols we need to follow. We’ve yet to learn if we’re sticking to the old one or if we’re going to implement some tweaks,” commissioner Willie Marcial told the Inquirer over the phone. “We’ll know more by June 1.”
The season will begin at Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the league crowning individual performers through its traditional Leo Awards.
Following the same schedule as the last Governors’ Cup, double-headers will be played on Wednesday through Sunday.
Ready for anything
The league chief also hinted at several rule changes and a new competition committee that will now be comprised of coaches Pido Jarencio (NorthPort), Jeff Cariaso (Converge), Topex Robinson (Phoenix Super LPG), Chris Gavina (Rain or Shine) and Ariel Vanguardia (Blackwater).
“That body will take care of how the league will navigate contentious calls ranging from flops, timeouts, deliberate fouls and even technical fouls,” Marcial said.
Asia’s pioneering pro league is also considering allowing more fan interaction for this season, but that will be contingent on the national government’s decision early next month.
Marcial said that the league is also ready should an uptick prompt a bevy of restrictions once again.
“We’ll do another semibubble. We are also ready to stage games without fans just like before,” he said.
The league is set to hold a preseason presser at Conrad in Pasay City on May 30, and is also considering to revive its Media Day the next day.
TNT is the defending champion of the tournament.
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