The impasse that has put the Philippine Basketball Association at an uncertain state could reach a much-awaited resolution by the time the league holds today a press conference to mark the scheduled start of the 43rd season this weekend.
Several members of the PBA Board of Governors have spent the past weeks holding backchannel talks in hopes of finding common ground after the group was divided in half over the tenure of PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa.
Seven teams led by the three teams of the MVP group had voted not to renew Narvasa’s contract, much to the objection of the other bloc powered by the three San Miguel squads and two other franchises.
All 12 board governors have kept mum over the current stalemate per an agreement forged by the two sides not to issue statements to the public.
Attempts to have the situation fixed in Los Angeles was canceled while an owners meeting was attended by only those from the group seeking Narvasa’s ouster.
Sources, however, said that select governors have held meetings in the hope of trying to forge an agreement at least before Sunday’s opener at the Smart Araneta Coliseum pitting the defending Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beermen and the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
One source said that the impasse is close to reaching an end, but refused to give the details.
So far, the upcoming season appears to be set as scheduled.
It had released a partial list of games that will be held until Dec. 29, including the Christmas Day doubleheader headlined by the Manila Clasico duel pitting Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Magnolia (formerly Star) at the Philippine Arena.
Whether Narvasa will be at the helm or the two groups agree on tapping an Officer-In-Charge as temporary head remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, it’s still business as usual for all 12 teams as they enter the final stretch of preparation for the season-opener.
A series of scrimmages were played the past few days, but the impasse was a bit obvious with last week’s pocket tournament composed of four of the seven teams wanting a change and SMC teams San Miguel and Magnolia along with Kia and GlobalPort playing a two-game exhibition at Claret School.