MBA opening reset in June; Palaro postponed

Citing the recent change in leadership and the national elections in May, officials of the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) yesterday decided to reset the opening of the league’s fourth season from April 15 to June 3.

Newly-appointed MBA president and Batangas Blades owner Santi Araneta, who replaced Bert Lina of the Laguna Lakers, said the postponement is expected to benefit the league since they would have more time to prepare for the staging of the event.

"Because of the change in leadership in the league and the national elections, the board has decided to move the opening to June 3 so as to give us time to prepare for a better season this year," said Araneta.

Meanwhile, Philippine Sports Commission chair Carlos Tuason yesterday said that this year’s Palarong Pambansa, originally scheduled in April, will be held after the May 11 national elections with Tubod, Lanao del Norte as the most probable venue.

"That’s what we want. . . to hold the Palarong Pambansa after the May elections because we don’t have the time," said Tuason. "And during the recent Mindanao summit, all the people there endorsed Tubod as this year’s host."

Tuason added that since the people of Mindanao have assured the security and safety of the more than 10,000 athletes and officials, he will personally endorse Tubod as this year’s host when he meets with Education Secretary Raul Roco soon.

Commissioner William Ramirez said Tubod is the likely choice since the place boasts of a P500 million sports complex. "Tubod is fine. In fact, I haven’t seen a sports complex like what Tubod has right now," he said.

When Tuason meets Secretary Roco, he will also try to bring up the idea of bringing the supervision of the Palaro back to the DECS. Executive Order 81, which was enacted in 1998, gave the PSC the full control of the Palaro.

"We want the Palaro transferred back to the DECS. But for this year we can still carry it. We can still play the ball and this is another urgent matter that will have to be discussed with the Secretary of Education," Tuason added.