The league is eager to move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The PBA Board of Governors on Tuesday lauded how Season 47 was a "banner year" for the league despite the adjustments to help Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup and the Asian Games.
But now, the PBA will be moving forward to get back to normal—like, pre-pandemic kind of normal.
"Our overarching battlecry is: Let's bring the PBA back to normal," PBA chairperson Ricky Vargas said.
In Season 47, the PBA set a new attendance record when guest team Bay Area Dragons took on Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup finals.
Vargas added that the league's revenue growth is "nearing pre-pandemic level."
The PBA has also launched the esports program, eased the policy for the return of athletes who played abroad, relaxed rules for the draft, and established ties with overseas leagues—which led to more games with the East Asia Super League (EASL).
So what can fans expect in Season 48?
For one thing, the PBA will be reverting to a three-conference format starting with the Commissioner's Cup. Sadly, there will be no Bay Area anymore as the Hong Kong-based squad got disbanded.
Around 26 rookies, meanwhile, will be seeing action in the opening conference, led by top pick Stephen Holt of the Terrafirma Dyip.
Teams will also be visiting various provinces, starting with Bacolod for the Masskara Festival this Thursday, featuring the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Meralco Bolts. The PBA will also play in Tiaong in Quezon, San Jose in Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, and Iloilo City.
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The PBA 3x3 is also off to a strong start with the TNT Triple Giga picking up the Leg 1 title of the Season 3 Second Conference.
TV5 president Guido Zaballero and PBA commissioner Willie Marcial also confirmed the return of the referee's review.
More fans will also get the chance to watch the PBA live, as the league moved to a new free-to-air TV channel A2Z.
"Back to three conferences, back to being able to reinvigorate the PBA, and get to where we were pre-pandemic. That's what we want moving forward," Vargas said.
(PM)