PBA marks turning point

MANILA, Philippines - For outgoing PBA chairman Patrick Gregorio, the past season was a period of transformation and innovation. The 40th anniversary was a turning point in the pro league’s history as it marked the beginning of an era with a new organizational structure ushering in a president/CEO to focus on growth, expansion, sales and marketing and a commissioner to concentrate on game-related issues.

Gregorio said serving as chairman for a year was gratifying and exhausting. “In the PBA, patience is a virtue,” he said. “I’m neither exasperated nor frustrated. I’m just exhausted. I ran a good race. I had a purpose to serve. I went all out. Maybe, it’s time for me to take a break from basketball. I’ll concentrate on my work at Maynilad and look after some businesses that I’ve started. Of course, I’ll never be too far away from basketball.”

Gregorio walked the extra mile with former PBA commissioner Chito Salud, now president/CEO, to form the best possible lineup for Gilas in preparation for the FIBA Asia Championships on Sept. 23-Oct. 3. “Coach Tab (Baldwin) met with team owners and team representatives to name the players in his wish list,” he said. “Unfortunately, there were players not available because of injuries and commitments. In the end, we could only do so much.”

 Salud said a long-term formula must be agreed on in drafting the best players for the national team particularly as FIBA is set to unravel a new qualifying system for the Olympics and World Cup starting in 2017.  “I anticipate concerns, particularly related to conflict of schedule, with the new FIBA qualifying system,” he said.

Gregorio said the PBA’s transformation was timely. “We prevailed on Chito to stay with the PBA as president/CEO,” he said. “He will chart the course for the future. As for commissioner Chito Narvasa, he will concentrate on game-related issues like officiating, scheduling, fines, protests and player movements. The organizational restructuring prepares the PBA for the challenges ahead.”

 With the PBA about to launch its 41st season, the transformation couldn’t have come at a more appropriate period in its history. Two expansion franchises were added to the roster of teams last year, bringing the membership to an all-time high of 12. At least two more business groups are interested to join. It will be the president/CEO recommending to the Board of Governors a timetable for future expansion.

 As for innovation, Gregorio said the introduction of Asian imports in the Governors Cup was a milestone. “To put things into perspective, the idea of bringing in an Asian import wasn’t only about winning,” he said. “I don’t think anyone had the notion of an Asian import being a game-changer. It was more a business idea leading to opening our doors to Asian neighbors and Asian sponsors.”

Gregorio said it’s too early to conclude whether Asian imports are good or bad for the league. “The fact is, in the Governors Cup, none of the Final Four teams had an Asian import so it couldn’t have been a success on that basis,” he said. “But that wasn’t the point. Before deciding whether it was a good or bad idea, we should do three or four experiments. I think the Board wants to adapt it again in the next Governors Cup with teams given the option to recruit an Asian import or not.”

Gregorio said the experiment is similar to the influx of foreign players in the NBA. “During the Michael Jordan era, I don’t think Luc Longley of Australia or Toni Kukoc of Croatia was a game-changer for the Chicago Bulls,” he said. “Foreigners weren’t meant to take over from the Jordans of the NBA just like Asian imports aren’t meant to be game-changers in the PBA.”

Gregorio said another innovation was starting the 40th season at the Philippine Arena. “We brought in over 52,000 fans for our opening day,” he said. “I attribute that to three factors. First, the fans were hungry for PBA basketball after watching Gilas play at the FIBA World Cup in Spain. Second, the fans were eager to watch Manny Pacquiao play for Kia. And third, the fans wanted to experience the Philippine Arena.”

Gregorio said without pre-empting what the Board has in mind for the future, he’s excited about the possibility of regionalizing the PBA. “We’re not just talking about provincial teams in the D-League but maybe, 10 years from today, we’ll have a PBA North Division and a PBA South Division. I can envision a PBA South Division with teams owned by Aboitiz or Del Monte or the Lhuilliers or the Aldeguers. It could lead to the Finals between the North and South champions. That will involve an incubation process, however.”

Gregorio said sooner or later, the league will welcome more expansion franchises. At the moment, knocking on the PBA door are Hapee Toothpaste and Racal Motors. The Board has decided to defer the entry of the two groups until two or three years.