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| Heads up! The PBA is back this October. Dennis Acosta (file photo) |
MANILA—The PBA has booked Oct. 15 as the date for its regular season return as the countdown to the league's 48th season is officially underway.
According to PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, the season will likely run until April depending on how long the two conferences, the import-spiced Commissioner's Cup and all-Filipino Philippine Cup, will last.
"Ang finals ng coming Commissioner's Cup, siguro matatapos siya ng February. Tapos mga 7-10 days, magsisimula naman yung All-Filipino Cup," Marcial made his projection during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday at the PSC Conference Room inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
He then confirmed that the All-Star Week is set for this March in Bacolod.
"Inanyahan tayo at nakausap natin si Mayor Albee [Benitez] na sila ang magho-host sa Bacolod by March," Marcial further said.
The league executive also announced that the PBA Draft Combine is scheduled on Sept. 12-13--only a few days after the FIBA World Cup--at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.
The combine is required for aspirants to signify their intent of joining the Sept. 17 draft, which will happen at the Market Market Activity Area in Taguig.
Just like last year, the PBA Draft will just be a regular draft, that is, there will be no special Gilas round.
Also in the pipeline for the PBA Commissioner's Cup is the possibility of holding a three-game home stand for guest team Bay Area in Hong Kong.
"Pinag-usapan namin yan ni Matt Beyer (EASL CEO) para maglaro sa Hong Kong," Marcial continued. "Hindi pa talagang finalized yung pag-uusap namin, pero 80 percent, maglalaro sa Hong Kong."
He added that the Dragons' home games against opponents that the PBA will announce at the release of the Commissioner's Cup schedule might be played on Saturday, the day set for the out-of-town games.
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