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SMART CLARK GIGA CITY – The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has begun planning its 46th season and has targeted April 9, its founding date, as its tentative opening date.
“We are still looking at other options, which will depend on a variety of factors,” PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial told reporters here on Thursday. “Factors like [COVID-19] vaccine, the need for a bubble, possible locations and the state of the economy. “
The development comes on the heels of the PBA meeting with its Board of Governors, which also addressed the upcoming Rookie Draft, the staging of its first 3 × 3 tournament, and the prizes that will be awarded at the conclusion of this extraordinary season.
Fans waiting to reach the PBA can submit their applications starting this December 7. The draft is scheduled for the second week of March and is expected to be deep due to the league’s lifting of its many requirements, including a stint in its D-League.
However, it is unclear whether there will be a special draft, according to the commissioner, as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), basketball’s governing body, has yet to vet the future talent pool.
The possibility of a special draft also depends on what the SBP does with its current pool of players on loan to the national team.
Best player
Marcial said the league’s 3 × 3 committee, chaired by Alaska Governor Richard Bachmann, has begun clarifying details for the specialty league that will roll out this February at the earliest.
The league agreed that it will not crown the Most Valuable Player, but rather name the Best Player of the Conference, due to the extraordinary setup this season.
The PBA will also name an “Outstanding Rookie” instead of “Rookie of the Year,” and will rename their Mythical Team as “Special Team.”
The league will still name the most improved player and winner of the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship award in what will likely be a virtual edition of its annual awards night, which will be held around January.
“We all saw how great were the sacrifices the players made this season,” said Marcial. “We want to give them the recognition they deserve.”
Also present at the three-hour meeting were representatives of the East Asian Super League, which Marcial said raised the idea of a long-term partnership with the PBA.
The SBP has also notified the league that it is considering re-selecting professionals for the next window of the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers, which could also be held in Clark Freeport.
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