PBA here to stay as teams set differences aside for Dec. 17 opening

MANILA, Philippines — It's been a little over a month since the Philippine Basketball Association's Board of Governors sat together in a room.

And with questions surrounding the impasse continuing to hound them, the executives saw it fit that they'd rather talk about the most important matter: the league's opening on December 17.

"Hindi pwedeng mawala ang PBA sa Pilipino, or ang Pilipino mawala sa PBA. That’s why we’re all here," outgoing chair and Rep. Mikee Romero told addressed the crowd in a presser at Okada in Parañaque. "I think we’re a very solid group at this point in time. Come December 17, as what we promised — [one] that did not come from me, [but] from all 12 teams."

"Any internal problems or whatever that we have, we will deal with it internally, within ourselves, within the 12 of us," Romero continued. "We don’t want to elaborate or any more matters. As we told you, this Sunday, what we should be watching are the players, the superstars of PH basketball. 43 years, ang masasabi ko lang, let the games begin."

The board and Romero went on to bare details for the 43rd season of Asia's first pay-for-play league.

PBA Governors all in one table. #PBA2018 Press Conference here at Okada Manila about to begin. @StarSportsHub @PhilippineStar pic.twitter.com/iDuTitIlp0

— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) December 13, 2017

Outgoing league chairman and Rep. Mikee Romero gets the ball rolling. He said that the Dec. 17 opening was not his promise—but one that is coming from the all 12 teams. “Hindi puwedeng mawala ang PBA sa Pilipino.” #PBA2018 pic.twitter.com/V8wgp55Y1j

— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) December 13, 2017

PBA’s Media Bureau chief Willie Marcial said that the presser will not entertain questions re: the impasse. He adeed that there will be a proper forum for that. “This is for the opening (Dec. 17).” #PBA2018

— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) December 13, 2017

The Govs revealed their muses:
Phoem Baranda - Kia
Ashley Ortega - @BWEliteForce
Myrtle Sarrosa - @barangayginebra
Rhian Ramos - @phx_fuelmasters
Rachel Daquis - @NLEXWorld
Hillarie Parungao - @GlobalportPH
Jodie Tarasek - @TheSMBeermen
Luara Lehmann - @TNTkaTropa #PBA2018

— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) December 13, 2017

Height limits for the season:

6'10" for the Commissioner's Cup

6'5" for the Governors' Cup.#PBA2018

— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) December 13, 2017

Commissioner Chito Narvasa said the PBA Board has taken into consideration @FIBA's sked for next year.#Gilas is set to play two more games in February, one in June and another in July for the Basketball World Cup qualifiers.#PBA2018#FIBAWCQ

— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) December 13, 2017

Most of the PBA Governors see @TheSMBeermen, @barangayginebra and @TNTkaTropa as the teams to beat in the season-opening All-Filipino Conference. #PBA2018

— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) December 13, 2017

And with their sights already set on the future, incoming chairman Ramoncito Ferndandez went on to close:

Incoming PBA chairman Ramoncito Fernandez:

“There are a lot of plans. But definitely, what the board can promise you is that you’ll have an exciting year.”

“We’ll continue to make the PBA relevant to the Filipinos.”#PBA2018

— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) December 13, 2017

The new season of the PBA will tip off this Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.