PBL, Studio 23 to sign pact for TV coverage

The Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Studio 23, a UHL channel of television giant ABS-CBN, are set to sign an agreement for the telecast of PBL games every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Butch Maniego, executive assistant to commissioner Chino Trinidad, said they have abandoned an earlier plan of following the schedule of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), games which are being televised on ABC 5 every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

"It has been agreed upon that it would be beneficial for both the league and Studio 23 to air our games the same days we did last year, which is every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday," Maniego told The STAR.

"It’s a tested formula and we hope to match, if not improve, on the success of the 2003 Platinum Cup," he added.

Maniego also said all the details concerning the PBL’s television coverge have been ironed out with Studio 23.

"It’s already a done deal. Pirmahan na lang talaga ang kailangan," said the veteran broadcaster and former newspaper columnist, who used to work with Studio 23 during the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) days.

The season-opening 2004 Unity Cup, however, will be telecast on a Friday (March 28) from the original schedule of March 27 to give participating ball clubs enough time to prepare.

The PBL tapped Studio 23 only last year as a block timer using the league’s own television crew, which has been producing games under Trinidad’s wings for more than four years.

But the PBL has decided to abolish its in-house production early this year to pave the way for Studio 23, which wants full control in producing games.

Reigning Platinum Cup titlist and defending champion Hapee Toothpaste, formerly Fash Liquid Laundry Detergent, and Welcoat Paints continue to be the squads to watch this conference with an array of recent acquisitions.

Other teams seeing action are Blustar Detergent, an Alex Compton-led Sunkist-University of Santo Tomas, Montana Pawnshop, Viva Mineral Water and newcomers Lee Pipes-Ateneo and Toyota Otis-Letran.

ICTSI-La Salle has taken a leave of absence.