PBA offers top players for Olympic qualifier

The PBA, optimistic of a favorable ruling on the country’s suspension by the FIBA, has agreed to shorten the league’s second conference in March to make its top players available for a possible stint in the FIBA-Asia Olympic qualifier in July.

In its regular meeting last night at the Chateau 1771 in Ortigas Center, the PBA board said it believes that the FIBA suspension on the country would be lifted soon following the formation of the new cage body in Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Inc. (SBP) that would pave the way for the country’s return to the international scene after a two-year absence.

The PBA board said it decided to reformat the import-reinforced conference slated to start in March in such a way that the league could wrap it up in three months and put up the best possible team for the Olympic qualifier.

"The board believes in the cause of helping the national team, so we decided to shorten the second conference," said PBA commissioner Noli Eala.

Under the new format, the wildcard phase, which used to be a one round affair, will be a knockout stage while the quarterfinals will be reduced to a best-of-three series from the best-of-five.

The second conference is expected to finish one month before the FIBA-Asia elims.

Meantime, the SBP, taking the first big step toward reconciliation, will hold a unity congress on Feb. 5 at Dusit Hotel Nikko on Ayala Avenue in Makati.

Registration starts at 10 a.m. with lunch served at 12 noon at Ballroom A.

Invited are "all bona fide members of the Basketball Association of the Philippines and Pilipinas Basketball."

According to lawyer Marievic Ramos-Añonuevo, SBP acting corporate secretary, the congress will hear the report of the three-man SBP panel recognizing BAP and PB members granted probationary status, oversee the conduct of the organizational meeting of the board of trustees, and transact any other business that may arise in the course of the congress. — With reports from Dante Navarro and Nelson Beltran