THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) board of governors led by newly-reelected chairman Ricky Vargas of TnT looks to carry over the momentum from the successful 2021-22 staging into its full-bodied program for the 47th season.
The pro league’s executives discussed their plans for the three-conference season in a two-day session over the weekend in Boracay, where Mr. Vargas was voted into the chairmanship for a fifth consecutive term.
“Successful ang planning session at excited ang lahat para sa mga plans at programs namin for this year,” commissioner Willie Marcial said. (We have a successful planning session and all was excited at our programs for this year.)
Mr. Marcial said they will announce the specifics of their Season 47 calendar in a press conference on Wednesday.
TWO IMPORTS TOURNEY
The commissioner had previously mentioned that two import-spiced tournaments are in the pipeline as well as possible out-of-town and Dubai games down the road. The league is also set to welcome the Hong Kong Dragons as a guest team while sending representatives to the inaugural East Asia Super League and providing reinforcements for Gilas Pilipinas.
Aside from Mr. Vargas, who was again voted by acclamation during the Boracay gab, Terrafirma’s Bobby Rosales retained his post as vice-chairman while Phoenix Super LPG’s Raymond Zorrilla was elected as the new treasurer.
The PBA is slated to hold its first activity for Season 47 on May 15 with the Annual Rookie Draft. Prospective draftees, including Fil-Ams who now need to only show a Philippine passport this time, have until May 7 to submit their applications.
Mr. Marcial, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to the UAAP for clearing the way for its players to apply for the draft even while their tournament is ongoing. — Olmin Leyba