It's not final yet, but the PBA Board is considering holding an in-season tournament similar to the NBA's, but the local pro league will feature foreign teams. The matter was among the things discussed during the league board’s annual planning session at the MGM Grand last 11 September.
The Macau Black Bears, Hong Kong Eastern, and one Indonesian ballclub are among the teams which signified interest in seeing action when the PBA holds its golden season starting this October.
Unfortunately, the three foreign teams aren't available at the same time in any of the three conferences at stake in Season 50, prompting the league to suggest the possible holding of an in-season tournament.
Also being considered is a pocket tournament featuring Gilas Pilipinas prior to its campaign in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers as well as next year’s 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.
With the Gilas team to the Asiad expected to be an all-PBA team since the quadrennial showcase isn’t a FIBA-run tournament, the national team is being given a longer time to prepare for its title retention bid, giving the PBA board the idea of holding the mini-tournament during the stretch before and after the Nagoya Games.
The Black Bears’ bid to play in the season-opening Philippine Cup was turned down, while Hong Kong Eastern already begged off from seeing action in the Commissioner’s Cup.
"Yung Macau gusto sa all-Filipino, kaso may mga imports sila. So hindi kami pumayag," said Commissioner Willie Marcial.
"Yung (Hong Kong) Eastern naman nag beg-off na. Tapos si Indonesia ang tagal ng communication from their end, kasi siguro medyo magulo ngayon dun."
Should any of the teams agree to play in either of the two import-laden conference, league vice chairman Alfrancis Chua said the league will consider the feasibility of the in-season tournament.
"Pinag-aaralan na yung Invitational tournament. So tingnan natin," Marcial said.
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