Second Foreign Team Expressed Desire To Join PBA

It was reported that a second foreign team is knocking on the door of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in a bid to join the 50th anniversary season of the league.

Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed that there is another international-based ballclub who expressed interest in joining the league next season apart from Hong Kong team Eastern. However, it has not been ascertain it plans will push through or if the league will approve their request.

"Meron dalawang foreign teams na gustong sumali sa atin. So titingnan natin kung kaya nating i-accommodate ang dalawa or i-accommodate lang ang isa," said the commissioner, who has his hands full the past few weeks as the league celebrated its golden anniversary last 9 April.

"Sana mapagbigyan natin sila pareho."

Marcial refused to divulge the name of the foreign team or what country it will represent, although the other one is Eastern, which saw action in the last Commissioner’s Cup.

The muilti-titled Hong Kong team has a previous agreement with the PBA about playing in the league for two seasons.

So far, Eastern management has yet to inform the league about not participating for next season, according to Marcial.

"May MoA (Memorandum of Agreement) kami niyan. So far, wala pa naman silang (Eastern) sinasabi na ayaw na nila," said the commissioner.

Eastern under coach Mensur Bajramovic, made a serious run during its stint in the mid-season conference, even contending for one of two twice-to-beat berths up for grabs heading to the playoffs.

Unfortunately, the team’s hectic schedule of playing simultaneously not only in one but three tournaments, took its toll on its campaign, eventually sending Eastern down at no. 7 and a twice-to-beat disadvantage against TNT, which ended up winning the championship.

Should another foreign ballclub be allowed to compete, it will mean having a 14-field team on board. And that’s where the problem lies, said Marcial.

"Tingnan natin ang scheduling. Kasi meron tayong (FIBA) window, kaya doon tayo nahihirapan," he added.