Commissioner Willie Marcial said everything is possible with regards to the schedule of the 45th PBA season currently on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He and members of the Board of Governors, led by chairman Ricky Vargas of TNT KaTropa, are due to discuss the matter through video conference on today to see what steps the league can take in light of the pandemic that has forced parts of the country to undergo an enhanced community quarantine.
Marcial said there’s likelihood the league can retain a compact three-conference calendar, a two-conference season and even a single conference, depending on when things get back to normal.
“Pwedeng i-adjust hanggang April next year, pwedeng one conference, pwedeng two conferences. Depende sa sitwasyon kaya anything is possible,” Marcial told the Bulletin.
The PBA initially ruled off the prospect of reducing the number of conferences due to factors concerning commitments on television, sponsors and venue partners.
While he has since opened up on a reduced calendar, Marcial insists these factors will play a deciding role on the season’s future.
“Madaming factor yan, yung sa TV at sponsors. Madaming aasikasuhin dyan, pati venues. Adjust lahat kasi.”
The fate of other league-related activities are also expected to be tackled in the online meeting.
One of which is the possible cancellation of the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup which held three playdates prior to the decision to suspend the games last March 11.
The likely comes as 11 of 12 teams participating in the developmental tournament are school-based, namely University of Santo Tomas, Letran, La Salle, Centro Escolar University and Mapua.
The PBA has employed a three-conference since its inception and 1975 before shifting to a two-conference schedule during the 2004-05 season for the next six years.
It reverted back to the three-conference calendar in 2010 and has continued with the original format since.
