SEOUL — The Korean Basketball League (KBL) has expressed support of the PBA’s plan to have its players suit up as imports for the league’s 40th season which opens on Oct. 19.
PBA Chairman Pato Gregorio of Talk ‘N Text said that KBL Commissioner Kim Young Ki is open to the idea of having Korean players in the PBA as Asian reinforcements in the Governors’ Cup, the last tournament of the season.
“Hopefully we can schedule that in the third conference,” said Gregorio, who met with the KBL officials last Wednesday together with PBA Commissioner Chito Salud, media bureau chief Willie Marcial and operations head Rickie Santos.
“It’s a matter of packaging these things well. Even our Korean colleagues, they’re excited. That’s a good sign that slowly but surely little steps, this concept will fly,” added Gregorio.
The league had discussed during its meeting here the possibility of having one Asian player for each team aside from tapping imports who are usually from the United States.
If approved, teams have the option of getting an Asian import.
Gregorio said the PBA schedule fits well with Korea’s own professional league, the KBL, which starts its 19th season next week and ends on April 2015. (Waylon Galvez)