ABL mulls expansion

MANILA, Philippines — The ABL is studying a plan to expand from 10 to 12 teams when the regional league opens its 10th season late this year and with at least seven applicants waiting in the wings, the probability is the door will open to accommodate two.

A source said the list of applicants includes two from China and a Philippine team linked to engineer Bong Zubiri who owns the Bataan Risers of the MPBL. The Risers recently topped the MPBL Datu Cup eliminations with a 23-2 record, punctuated by a 14-game win streak and made it to the North Division semifinals. Bataan’s players include PBA veterans Gary David, Pamboy Raymundo and Robbie Celiz. PBA champion coach Jong Uichico has been tapped to replace Jojo Lastimosa at the Risers’ helm.

Uichico said he has no knowledge of Bataan’s application to join the ABL. His focus is on the MPBL next season and called it a “new challenge” in his career. If Bataan joins the ABL, it’s likely Uichico will coach the team considering his extensive international experience with Gilas.

To join the ABL, a franchise must make at least a three-year commitment with an entry fee of P6.5 million or about $125,000 a year. The ABL began with six teams in 2009-10 and now has 10 with a franchise each in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, China, Chinese-Taipei, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines. There are five investor operators in the ABL Board ­Tony Fernandes and Ruben Gnanalingam of Malaysia, Erick Thohir of Indonesia, Wee Siew Kim of Singapore and Henry Nguyen of Vietnam. To qualify for the board, the investment is $2.5 million. Because the league has grown beyond Southeast Asia, it is now known strictly as the ABL, not the Asean Basketball League, for branding purposes.

This season, the ABL allowed each team to enlist three “world” imports and took out the provision of Asian “heritage” imports. The Philippine entry San Miguel Alab, however, opted to recruit only two “world” imports, P. J. Ramos and Renaldo Balkman, a pair of NBA and PBA veterans from Puerto Rico. Alab couldn’t bring in Justin Brownlee, who led the team to the ABL title with Balkman last season, as a third import because it would’ve exceeded the salary cap.

ABL chief operating officer Jericho Ilagan said striking out the “heritage” imports created more playing slots for locals. Next season, the same restrictions will apply. But Ilagan mentioned in 2021 or 2022, the league may consider to change the mix and allow up to only two “world” imports with at least five to seven locals, opening slots for Asian “heritage” imports to complete the roster. Ilagan said before implementing any changes, the ABL will need clearance from FIBA.

The Philippines has won three ABL titles so far. The Patriots claimed the inaugural crown with coach Louie Alas and a roster that included Rob Wainwright, Jerwin Gaco, Khazim Mirza and Donbel Belano. San Miguel Beer took the championship in 2013 with coach Leo Austria and a cast that included Asi Taulava, Eric Menk, Chris Banchero, Leo Avenido and Paolo Hubalde. Last season, San Miguel Alab bagged the title with coach Jimmy Alapag and a lineup that included Bobby Ray Parks, Lawrence Domingo, Brownlee and Balkman.