TV5’s plans for the Philippine Basketball Association’s 41st season inaugural ceremony on Oct. 18 and the approval of the opening day schedule will be on top of the agenda when the Board of Governors meets today at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City.
Though several matchups are being considered to kick off the Philippine Cup, including one involving crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Jason Webb, the new coach of the Star Hotshots, will most likely have his baptism of fire against no less than the most mercurial mentor in the league, Yeng Guiao of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Nothing is final though and a different opening game could yet be approved although sources said TV5, the PBA games coveror, has been preparing for a Star-ROS encounter.
“It will be a good gauge of where we are as a team,” Webb said when told that he’d probably make his debut against Guiao, a six-time champion coach.
The former De La Salle star indicated Guiao will not be the least of his concerns once the season begins.
“Halos lahat ng coaches mga alamat,” said Webb, who played six seasons as a pro before getting handpicked by former Star coach Tim Cone to be one of his assistants last season. When Cone moved over to Barangay Ginebra, Webb was named to fill up the vacancy.
Webb isn’t shirking from the responsibility.
“You have a coach Yeng, who is the longest tenured among the PBA coaches going up against me, who is coaching his first game. Intimidating.
But I also realize that is something I have to go through,” said Webb, who had a lengthy one-on-one talk with all 15 Star players, led by James Yap and Marc Pingris, after he assumed the job.
“Kinausap ko sila isa-isa and I asked them what they think of me coming in as their coach and what they expect of me,” he said. “Positive naman ang response.”
TV5, whose TV contract with the PBA is up for renewal next year, will also present it’s 40th season report, while PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa will appraise the governors on his officiating briefings with the 12 teams over the past few weeks, discussing with the team executives modifications that will be made as relayed to the respective teams.
Presiding over the monthly board meeting is PBA chairman Robert Non of San Miguel Beer.