A heavy roster of 14 teams will vie for honors when the Pilipinas Super League (PSL) kicks off its Pro Division Second Conference on Nov. 23 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
PSL president Rocky Chan was very pleased with the turnout considering that they were just expecting eight teams for the tournament which is open to all players, including ex-pros.
“Nadagdagan ng nadagdagan. And four more teams are coming in next year,” said Chan during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
“These are mostly LGUs (local government units). But Quezon City under Mayor Joy Belmonte has offered to be the home of the PSL Second Conference,” added Chan, who was joined by operations head Leo Isaac.
Leading the field is defending champion Davao Occidental, which will be challenged by teams from Bicol, Sta. Rosa and San Pedro in Laguna, Boracay, Cagayan de Oro, Nueva Ecija, Quezon City, Manila, Pampanga, College of St. Benilde, Bulacan, Muntinlupa and Caloocan.
Expected to draw the attention is the Boracay squad led by former PBA players Jayjay Helterbrand and Mac Cardona along with actor Gerald Anderson.
Isaac, the former Ginebra San Miguel standout, said games will be held Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 6 to 10 p.m. and will be aired live on Solar Sports.
“This is an open tournament. Anybody can play. There’s no limit on the number of ex-pros. Even the team owner can play. Teams are allowed 25 players but only 15 can play in a given game,” said Isaac.
Under the format, the 14 teams will play a single round, with the top eight teams making it to the quarterfinals and the top four enjoying a twice-to-beat edge. After the semis, the top two teams will figure in a best-of-three finals.
Chan said while the Pro Division is going full blast, the PSL will continue to stage its 21-under tournament with an 18-under tournament in the works.
“We will begin with the 18-under next year. For now, it’s all in the men’s division,” he said during the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), MILO, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
Chan added that two games will usher in the tournament, including one featuring Davao Occidental vs the star-studded Boracay squad.
“There will be surprises on opening day,” he added.
