PBA draws blueprint for 2023

MANILA, Philippines — The PBA is ready to do its share and make sacrifices as a full load of basketball activities topped by the country’s hosting of the FIBA World Cup is up for 2023.

The pro league wraps up its Commissioner’s Cup tournament in the middle of January then rolls out a compressed Governors’ Cup immediately after and ending in April.

Once the three-conference Season 47 is completed, the PBA will give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ buildup and campaign not only in the Aug. 25 to Sept. 10 World Cup but also in the  Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia (May 5 to 17) and the Asian Games in China (Sept. 23 to Oct. 10).

“Minamadali natin na matapos ang third conference ng April tapos tigil tayo,” PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said.

With the crowd back in full force, the PBA is also eyeing the return of a fan-favorite activity after a three-year absence.

“Magkakaroon tayo ng All-Stars sa March sa Passi, Iloilo,” Marcial announced.

Passi was originally tapped to host the All-Stars back in 2020. But the event was called off due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

The next season, a shortened two-conference offering, will kick off by October.

“May SEA Games at Asian Games, after ‘nun, sisimulan natin ang 48th season,” said the PBA top executive.

While on hiatus, the PBA is arranging pre-season matches possibly outside Metro Manila.

“Meron tayong pre-season games na lalaruin, na wala yung mga Gilas players. Iikot natin sa Luzon, kung makakapag-out-of-town games tayo, titignan natin,” he said.

After completing its first Governors’ Cup amid the pandemic last April, the pro league returned to a regular three-conference format last June. The Philippine Cup ended last September followed quickly by the revival of the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup that spilled over to this month.