Cignal's D-League stint in limbo amid PBA leadership row

MANILA, Philippines -- The PBA leadership impasse has spilled into its developmental league, the D-League.

Cignal HD, a team belonging to the Manny V. Pangilinan-owned group of companies, has suspended on deciding whether or not it will join the PBA D-League in its next conference in January 2018 reportedly because of the unresolved conflict inside the country’s pro-league.

“We don’t know yet because according to Cignal bosses, they have not made a decision due to the PBA impasse,” said team manager Jude Roque.

Roque said the team, which is composed mostly of players from recently crowned NCAA champion San Beda, would have preferred to join considering that their league rivals — runner-up Lyceum of the Philippines U, Jose Rizal, St. Benilde and Perpetual Help— are also participating.

“We really want to join,” said Roque.

At press time, the PBA crisis has remained unresolved after seven-team faction opposing the retention of commissioner Chito Narvasa has boycotted the scheduled PBA board meeting in Los Angeles, California recently.

With the possibility of missing the D-League looming, Cignal coach Boyet Fernandez said they will focus on his San Beda players’ academics.

“While we’re waiting for the decision of the bosses, we’re now focusing on how my players will pass their final exams in the first week of December,” said Fernandez.

The D-League was an essential factor to San Beda’s title conquest as several of its players, including Robert Bolick and Javee Mocon, sharpened their game there.