PBA holding invitational ‘3rd conference’ next year

By Musong R. Castillo
Inquirer
Last updated 04:11pm (Mla time) 09/27/2007

MACAU -- Because of the absence of an international tournament, the PBA is committed to supporting in the middle of next year a “third conference” for the season -- an invitational tournament.

Members of the league’s board planed into this gambling mecca of Asia on Tuesday to chart the direction the PBA will take, at least for the next two years, with the invitational tournament all but approved.

The PBA, under resigned commissioner Noli Eala, had adjusted its calendar by holding its season from October to July, from the old February to December, after committing itself to supporting the country internationally.

It had also adopted a two-conference format for the last three seasons to be able to free itself up during the months of August to October every year and lend its players to most of the big Fiba tournaments being held.

And the PBA is not committed to supporting any national team until 2009, when the qualifying event for the 2010 World Championship is held in Turkey.

The idea of bringing back the old three-conference format was also touched though it was not tackled at length during the meetings.

It is still not clear, though, what teams from what region the PBA would be inviting, and even the format of play has yet to be determined although what is certain is that not all 10 teams will be playing.

One idea being mulled is for the champion teams of the Philippine and Fiesta Cups to be seeded outright into the invitational and for the stars of the other eight teams to form two more teams to join two foreign squads.

This early, the league has reportedly gotten a call from the New Zealand basketball association informing it of the Kiwis’ interest in playing in the PBA.

And should the invitational feature teams from Europe, the PBA will be enlisting the services of imports for its teams to be able to have a shot at beating the visitors in its own tournament.

During the board’s final meeting at the Rio Hotel here, the Fiesta Conference format has also been finalized, with the two tail-ending teams in the Philippine Cup to be allowed the services of two imports each for the Fiesta Cup.

Like the Philippine Cup champion, the next seven teams will be allowed imports of unlimited height, with the teams playing with two imports having height ceilings for each of their two reinforcements.

Rules changes starting with the Philippine Cup, which begins with the San Miguel vs Air21 clash on October 14 at the Araneta Coliseum, will also be implemented.

Foremost of these rules is the shortening of the three-point shot from 22 feet to 20 and the relaxation of the hand checking rule.

The five-man committee that will come up with the criteria for the qualifications of a permanent commissioner has also been formed during this trip. It will be headed by new chairman Tony Chua with vice-chair Joaqui Trillo of Alaska, treasurer Robert Non of Ginebra and Air21s Lito Alvarez and Ricky Vargas of Talk ‘N Text as members.