PBA explores league tie-ups

MANILA, Philippines — PBA commissioner Willie Marcial is exploring league tie-ups with Japan and South Korea as there is increasing interest in regional collaboration at the heels of a successful second home-and-away EASL season.

Last Wednesday, Marcial attended the EASL Advisory Board meeting where CEO Henry Kerins reported on the gains of the current campaign. The meeting was held at the Studio City Hotel in Macau and representatives of the Japan B-League, Taiwan P. League+ and Korea Basketball League joined in taking up expansion plans. FIBA Asia executive director Hagop Khajirian participated via a zoom link.

Marcial said the PBA has been approached by the B-League and KBL to play exhibition games, possibly before the FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Aug. 5-17 next year. Talks are ongoing and it’s still to be determined if the PBA’s involvement will be with Gilas, in which case SBP’s clearance is vital, or at the club level. In line with collaboration initiatives, Marcial conferred with B-League international business executive officer Nao Okamoto in the PBA office yesterday on tie-up options.

Kerins presided in the Advisory Board meeting which brought in Marcial for PBA, B-League international group manager Chihiro Saito, KBL secretary-general Shin Hae Jong, Plus League commissioner Chen Jian Zhou and international relations manager Ryan Chen, Khajirian and EASL’s senior management team.

EASL is on track to register nearly 450 million views, three times more than last season, in world-wide media outlets with 22 broadcast partners.  Data compiled by EASL show exponential growth in impressions and fan engagement on content. EASL aims to expand from 10 to 12 or 15 teams next season. 

Marcial said he was introduced to Mongolian Basketball Association secretary-general Tugsjargal Sambuu in Macau. “May 10 men’s at six women’s teams sa Mongolian pro league,” he said. “Ranked world No. 8 ang Mongolia sa 3x3. Interested sila sumali sa EASL at nag-usap din kami tungkol sa collaboration.”