By JONAS TERRADO
The PBA is setting its sights on holding at least two conferences for the 46th season which could start on April 9.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said the possibility remains dependent on the situation of the COVID-19, the availability of the vaccine and the participation of Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup.
“Tignan natin kung kakayanin ang three conferences. Kung hindi, at least two conferences,” Marcial said during Saturday’s episode of Power and Play of former PBA commissioner Noli Eala.
“Titignan pa natin kung may vaccine at yung tungkol pa sa FIBA. Kung makakagawa ng tatlo, good. Pero at least two conferences ang pipilitin nating nagawa for next season,” added Marcial.
Marcial was also non-committal when asked by Eala if the league will allow teams to bring in imports for conference or two that follows the centerpiece Philippine Cup due to the fluidity of the pandemic.
The Philippine Cup was the only conference held during the 45th running of the pro league which was staged under a bubble setup in Pampanga.
“Kung by June or July baka makita natin ang galawan,” he said. “One, papayag ba ang import na pumunta dito. Two, pag pumunta ba rito yung import, may quarantine pa ba? So hinihintay pa natin.
“Malaking bagay kung ano ang sitwasyon nila. Kung may vaccine na sila, pagpunta rito so safe na sila at hindi na sila mahahawa. Malaking bagay yun,” added Marcial.
The PBA usually holds a three-conference schedule which begins with the Philippine Cup followed by the two import-laden tournaments — the Commissioner’s Cup and Governors’ Cup.
Teams are allowed to tap imports with a maximum height limit of 6-foot-10 for the Commissioner’s Cup while foreigners 6-foot-5 and under can suit in the Governors’ Cup.
