PBA to fit in EASL sked

MANILA, Philippines — PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said yesterday he will study how to fit EASL’s new tournament format for its inaugural season into the league’s Governors’ Cup schedule in March next year and assured all-out cooperation during a zoom meeting with EASL CEO Matt Beyer and EASL CFO Henry Kerins.

“Palagay ko, doable,” said Marcial. “Kung March 1-5 ang EASL Champions Week, tatama sa eliminations ng Governors’ Cup at sa All-Star break pero tingnan natin, kung magagawaan ng paraan.” San Miguel Beer and TNT will represent the PBA in the EASL Champions Week featuring eight teams in pursuit of the championship. Marcial said the PBA schedule will be adjusted to clear the Beermen and TNT from assignments in the Governors’ Cup for the duration of the Champions Week. He noted that plans are now being finalized to stage the All-Star event in Iloilo.

Beyer said he’s coordinating with participating teams from the Japanese B.League, Korean Basketball League and Chinese Taipei’s P.League+ to align schedules. He added that details of the Champions Week will be announced soon with Manila likely to be the host city. “Our goal is to bring everyone together in a path of least disruption to the domestic leagues,” said Beyer. “The format is different from what we initially conceptualized but we believe it’s the responsible way. Our mission remains to create the premier basketball league and entertainment experience in Asia. Controlling variables and operating our season in the most responsible manner reduces uncertainty for all our stakeholders as international travel throughout the region rebounds incrementally.”

Marcial said the PBA will proceed with its schedule while the Champions Week rolls out. “Non-stop tayo,” he said. “Wednesday, Friday, Saturday at Sunday ang schedule natin. Adjust lang natin ang schedule ng San Miguel at TNT.” The PBA intends to end its season on April 28 at the earliest to allow PBA players over three months to train with Gilas for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Since EASL allows each team to play two imports, San Miguel and TNT may retain their Commissioner's Cup reinforcements. In the original schedule, EASL would’ve started its season during the Commissioner’s Cup where the height limit for PBA imports is under 6-10. In the new schedule, EASL will kick off the Champions Week during the Governors’ Cup where the height limit for PBA imports is under 6-6.