Former commissioner Noli Eala makes familiar ‘ideal’ suggestion for PBA, Gilas Pilipinas

Is it time for the PBA to change its three-conference format? Former PBA commissioner Noli Eala believes so.

On Twitter, Eala shared that playing two conferences in a season, instead of three, would be beneficial for the league. 

"It worked for all—national team, players, and league," Eala wrote. 

In 2004, the PBA already played a 2-conf format. And it worked for all- National Team, players and league. Don’t believe otherwise. I was there. I know how much revenues we made. With all that’s happening in basketball now, it still is the most ideal setup.

— Noli Eala (@NoliEala) March 2, 2023

During the 2004-2005 season, when Eala was PBA commissioner, the league started to implement the setup where it only had the Philippine Cup and the import-laden Fiesta Conference. The league changed its customary calendar, which ran from February to December, and adopted a new schedule from October to July. It lasted until 2010, when the PBA brass decided to bring back the Commissioner's Cup and Governors' Cup.

College of St. Benilde Blazers coach Charles Tiu chimed in the conversation, saying that playing only two conferences would allow the PBA to have a longer break. He said it would make "the fans miss the league a bit."

I actually think this is good too. of course less bonuses for the players, but kind of makes the fans miss the league a bit. we end one conf and start the next one 2 weeks later. Would love to see asian imports again here too

— Charles Tiu (@charlestiu) March 2, 2023

The PBA’s scheduling has been put into question as of late given that it collided with Gilas Pilipinas’ games during the sixth and final window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

The San Miguel Beermen and TNT Tropang Giga also had to fly over to Japan during the middle of the PBA Governors’ Cup conference to compete in the East Asia Super League’s Champions Week.

Should the PBA decide to revert back to the two-conference setup, would capturing both titles in the two conferences be called a grand slam? It will certainly have a different look when dynastic teams look to cement themselves in the record books.

But if it means that PBA squads will be more rested, and that Gilas Pilipinas will have access to more PBA players for its pool, fans might just welcome the change.