PBA 3-confab season earns P90M

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) made a record P90 million in earnings in gate receipts as the league reverted back to a three-conference format in the recently concluded 36th season.

The numbers showed an increase of 20 percent over last season’s gross of P75 million when only two conferences were played.

This year marked the first time that the league adopted a three-conference set-up in six years with Talk N Text winning the first two but was foiled by Petron Blaze in last week’s PBA Governors Cup finals.

Average game-day attendance this season also posted a nine percent increase over the previous season, further underscoring the fans continued support to the league and its stars.

Going back to the three-conference format was one of the major adjustments adopted by PBA commissioner Chito Salud when he assumed the position last year.

“By bringing back the three-conference format, we hope it can translate to better gate attendance and improved TV ratings,” said Salud prior to the start of the just-concluded season.

Originally used as the PBA’s first-ever format since its inception in 1975, the three-conference set-up also revived the drive of winning the coveted Grand Slam, which TnT came close to achieving.

But the underdog and undermanned Boosters pulled off a surprise 85-73 victory in the winner-take-all Game 7 last Sunday.

The sudden death also came as a fitting ending to a remarkable season as it drew 17,000 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Meanwhile, AKTV on IBC, the new home of the PBA, will air a two one-hour specials dubbed “Hoops and Hopes” on Aug. 26-27 starting at 9 p.m.

The show serves as a preview of the PBA Rookie Draft on Sunday at Robinsons Place Manila which will be aired on AKTV on IBC Channel 13 starting at 7 p.m.

Hoops and Hopes will give an in-depth preview and interviews with some of the future PBA stars hoping to make it big in the pro league.

Leading the list of aspirants are the mainstays of the Smart Gilas national team, including Mac Baracael, Mark Barroca, Marcio Lassiter, Dylan Ababou and JV Casio.

Amateur standouts like James Martinez, Eric Salamat and Paul Lee are also hoping to make the grade.

A total of 36 aspirants are hoping to be selected by the 10 PBA teams and be included in the next basketball season’s roster of players.