Marcial opens door for future guest teams

MANILA, Philippines — PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said yesterday the participation of the EASL Greater China team Bay Area Dragons in the Commissioner’s Cup may lead to the annual entry of guest teams in future conferences and welcomed the challenge of playing against international high-caliber opposition.

“Matututo tayo sa Dragons at magkakaroon ng adjustments ang mga PBA teams sa kanilang sistema,” said Marcial. “Sila rin matututo sa atin. Magandang concept ang participation ng guest team. If successful, baka every year, mag-invite tayo ng guest team kung papayag sa ating regulations. Excited mga fans na makakita ng high-caliber na kalaban.”

Marcial said the Dragons are eligible to compete for the championship. In the PBA’s 46-year history, only two guest teams won conference titles – Nicholas Stoodley in the 1980 Invitationals and Northern Consolidated in the 1985 Reinforced. Although Bay Area crushed Blackwater by 46 points in the conference opener last Wednesday, Marcial said it doesn’t mean the Dragons will run away with the crown.

“Tingin ko, kakayanin ng mga teams at coaches natin,” said Marcial. “Pag naka-settle down na lahat at na-scout ng mga coaches natin, magbabago ang labanan. Si coach Brian (Goorjian) isa sa mga best coaches sa mundo pero magagaling din mga PBA coaches. Abangan natin kung papaano sila mag-adjust sa darating na laban na mapapanood natin.”

Marcial said from a marketing perspective, the Dragons’ participation is a huge boost. “Sa awareness lang, panalo na tayo,” he said. “Mga tune-ups ng Dragons ni-livestream at sobrang daming nanood especially from Mainland China. Ano pa kaya kung official games at bakbakan na? Sa online, makaka-attract ng bagong fans ang PBA dahil sa Dragons at malaking tulong sa ating marketing efforts. Milyon milyon ang dagdag sa ating audience.”

Regarding the recent blockbuster trades, Marcial said he’s standing firmly by the league’s Trade Committee made up of deputy commissioner Eric Castro, legal counsel Atty. Melvin Mendoza, operations officer Mauro Bengua, technical consultant Joey Guanio and operations/business development manager Roscelle Teotico. “Ang Trade Committee ay independent at autonomous,” said Marcial. “Tiwala ako sa kanila at paninindigan ko ang kanilang desisyon. Kung matatanggal ako sa trabaho dahil sa tiwala ko sa Trade Committee, so be it. Pero sigurado ako fair ang proseso at hindi nalalaman ng media at mga fans na bago sila mag-approve ng isang trade, madalas maraming pagbabago sa original proposal hangga’t satisfied ang Committee na parehas.”