Stars back for an exciting season

People's Journal
September 22, 2007

Philippine Basketball Association bosses expect an exciting season with the return of the biggest stars.

The likes of Asi Taulava and Mark Caguioa will rejoin their respective teams after missing the entire second conference last season for a tour of duty with the Philippine Team that participated in the FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship in Tokushima, Japan.

Defending champion Barangay Ginebra welcomes the return to its fold of the backcourt tandem of Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand, with Asi Taulava, Jimmy Alapag and RenRen Ritualo linking up anew with Talk ‘N Text, Dondon Hontiveros and Danny Seigle with San Miguel, Tony dela Cruz with Alaska, Ranidel de Ocampo with Air21, Kerby Raymundo with Purefoods and Mick Pennisi with Red Bull.

Their return could only mean added durability to their ballclubs, which have a long conference ahead of them.

A busy campaign is in store for all 10 teams in the opening tournament, where each squad will be playing a total of 18 games, according to PBA Officer- In-Charge Sonny Barrios.

“It’s going to be a long but exciting conference, which we know will be for the benefit of the legion of PBA fans,” said Barrios, adding that the Philippine Cup serving as the league’s first conference will run for four months.

“With our stars back to their mother teams and a new set of exciting rookies to watch I am very optimistic that the PBA will again have another successful season.”

The 2007-08 season opens on October 14 at the Araneta Coliseum and could run until Feb. 17.

Each week, a total of 8 games will be played during its regular playdates on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The league will also hold a game in non-traditional venues like the The Arena in San Juan every Thursday and a provincial game every Saturday.

The Araneta Coliseum remains as the main venue of the games, although there will also be games calendared at the Astrodome in Pasay City and the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Ten provincial games are also lined up.

In addition, the league will be playing through the Christmas Season, with games on Christmas Day, Dec. 28 and Dec. 30.

PBA Chairman Tony Chua of Red Bull sees the additional games beneficial to rookie and all players in general, now that the 14-man lineup will become in effect beginning this season.

“More games mean more opportunities for all players to see action,” said Chua, also team manager of Red Bull.

A slight modification in the conference format has also been adopted.

The top two teams after the classification phase still advance to the semifinals outright, while the nos. 3, 4 and 5 squads qualify for the quarterfinals.

The 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th teams are going to be relegated to the wildcard phase, which will feature knockout games to determine the sole survivor and the last quarterfinal candidate.

The last-placed team is automatically eliminated.