Marcial impressed by B-League

MANILA, Philippines — PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said yesterday he was amazed by the staging of the Japan B-League All-Star Weekend at the jam-packed, 10,000-seat Lala Arena Tokyo-Ban in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture and picked up a lot of lessons that could be applicable locally. Marcial, PBA Board treasurer/Phoenix governor Atty. Raymond Zorrilla and SBP executive director Erika Dy witnessed the All-Star extravaganza on the B-League’s invitation. 

Saturday’s program featured the participation of Dwight Ramos, Kiefer Ravena, Matthew Wright, AJ Edu and Bobby Ray Parks on the Asia Quota Squad that lost a 124-121 decision to the Rising Stars made up of Japanese players from 21 to 25 with no more than five years of B-League experience. NBA player Rui Hachimura’s brother Aren hit the go-ahead triple to lift the Rising Stars to victory from 18 down. Ravena shot 16, Parks and Wright 12 each, Edu 11 with 10 rebounds and Ramos, five.

Aside from the Philippine delegation, officials from the NBA, EASL, Bundesliga, Singapore, Indonesia and Taiwan attended the weekend show that was described by the B-League as “innovative sports entertainment” and “a dream collaboration between basketball and the city.” The theme of the event was “Fan-Der” joining the words “fan” and “wonder.”

Marcial said he exchanged notes with other league officials and had talks with the B-League on future joint projects. “Nagkita kami nina Matthew at Kiefer,” said Marcial. “Ayos naman sila at ang payo ko, mag-pondar at mag-ipon. Tingin ko, babalik din sila sa PBA. Kinumusta namin si Kai (Sotto).” Sotto would’ve played on the Asia Quota team.

Marcial said he was impressed by the organizers’ punctuality. “On-time sila palagi,” he noted. “Maganda yung U18 game nila at mayroon silang innovation na skills challenge between two teams na isang physically disabled nasa wheelchair paired with isang active B-League player.” Marcial was interviewed on Japanese TV and shared his views on the event. “Sabi ko, well-prepared sila sa marketing, merchandising, fan activation, alaga sa mga guests,” he said. “Marami tayong mapupulot sa kanila.”