PBL eyes Studio 23 for next season

Starting this year, the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) will have a permanent home.

The league is close to signing a long-term contract with Studio 23, a UHF channel of television giant ABS-CBN, in time for the season opening second Unity Cup tentatively set March 20.

"We’re close to signing a contract with Studio 23 because we believe it is one of the main reasons why the league is experiencing success right now," said PBL chairman Dioceldo Sy of Blustar Detergent.

What is hampering the PBL and Studio 23 from forging a contract, which could cover a minimum of three years, is the resignation of Chino Trinidad as commissioner of the league.

"We have been talking to top management of ABS-CBN. Medyo natigil lang nung nag-resign si Chino (Trinidad)," noted Sy, referring to Trinidad’s resignation in the middle of the PBL Platinum Cup title series won by Fash Liquid Laundry Detergent.

"I expect it to resume next week pagbalik ni Chino from the US. Final details na lang ang pinag-uusapan kaya 80 to 90 percent ang chance na sila (Studio 23) na nga," he added.

The entry of Studio 23 as the official PBL broadcaster means that the in-house production staff Trinidad has put in to handle the league’s telecast since 2000 will be abolished. It can be recalled that the PBL transferred to Studio 23 from NBN 4 last year only as blocktimers.

"I’ve been working with these people this past four years and as much as I want them to stay, it’s now beyond my control," said Trinidad.