The more the merrier
By Reuel Vidal
Manila Standard
October 2, 2007
THREE PBA conferences?
Among the topics discussed during the recent planning session of the Philippine Basketball Association Board of Governors is the holding of an invitational conference featuring the top placers during the PBA Fiesta Conference and guest teams from all over Asia.
According to PBA OIC Sonny Barrios, the months August and September when the PBA has just concluded its season would be the perfect time to conduct this tournament.
At that time, the different commercial leagues around Asia will also have concluded, meaning the best club teams in Asia and Australia can participate in the invitational league.
I think this is a great idea. First, because it brings the country back to the mainstream of international competition on a regular basis. Our basketball can only get better if we compete against foreign teams regularly.
Second, because it returns the PBA to its original format of a three-conference season. I’ve always thought it made for a more exciting league when there were more championships and trophies at stake.
I just don’t see how fans in the US can keep their interest in a tournament that lasts for months and months on end. Personally, I get really bored with the National Basketball Association regular season and my interest only picks up during the playoffs.
Compared to the NBA, the PBA has such short conferences it feels like it’s always the playoffs.
Also, PBA teams can again aspire to a grand slam by winning all three titles in a given year. Just another reason for teams to aspire for excellence.
1 comment:
The 2-conference format was made to accommodate the PBA-backed National Team's games. I hope the PBA will still make the necessary adjustments come 2009.
Aside from the foreign teams why not include also an amateur selection or the junior national team so they can also benefit from the experience.
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