By REYNALD MAGALLON
The PBA has shelved its initial plans of a two-import format for the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, sticking to the usual one import per team setup although the height limit will no longer be applied.
Commissioner Willie Marcial announced the decision on Sunday, Oct. 6, which came after Hong Kong Eastern agreed to the current PBA rules on imports.
Marcial said the participation of Hong Kong Eastern as guest team for the mid-conference is almost a done deal after both parties already agreed in principle and only needed the contract and formally signing to make it official.
The possibility of adopting a two-import setup for the Commissioner’s Cup was first entertained by the PBA when talks on the participation of Hong Kong Eastern, which will be employing two imports for its own campaign in the East Asia Super League, grew at the start of the season.
“Import natin for the second conference, this Commissioner’s Cup isa lang pero unlimited height. Pinag-usapan din natin sa Hong Kong Eastern na sasali sila kung anong setup natin sa import (rules),” said Marcial.
“Pumayag sila dun na isang import lang. Pero puwede silang magpalit according sa regulations natin,” he added.
As per current rules on PBA imports, the teams’ original import choiced can be relegated to the reserve list and be brought back to the active roster only once. Once replaced for the second time, he can no longer suit up to the team.
Replacement imports on the other hand cannot return once replaced.
Opening the doors to another guest team like the Hong Kong Eastern, the PBA hopes to replicate the thrill and impact the league had when it had the Bay Area Dragons as a guest during the 2022-’23 Commissioner’s Cup.
Marcial revealed Hong Kong Eastern owner Frankie Yau actually wanted to serve as a guest team for two seasons with the possibility of holding PBA games on its home turf in the second year.
“Kontrata na lang. Pero in principle ok na kami nung team owner. Kausap ko siya nung isang araw, nasa Europe siya. Gagawa na lang ng kontrata,” said Marcial.
“Gusto nila two years. Pero sabi ko tingnan natin after this season, mag-usap kami ulit,” he added.
