PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial bared some big changes in the upcoming PBA season.
Big changes are coming up for the PBA next season.
This after PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial bared that the league is deciding to remove the height limit on imports in the Commissioner’s Cup.
The league has long imposed a 6-foot-10 limit on reinforcements in the mid-season conference.
“Pumayag na rin ang Board sa pinropose ko na unlimited height ang Commissioner’s Cup,” Marcial told reporters before Game 1 of the Season 48 Philippine Cup Finals between San Miguel and Meralco.
The PBA is also in talks with an undisclosed foreign club who could join the league as guest team next season. But Marcial reiterated that nothing is set in stone yet.
“May kausap na rin kami. Baka may guest team tayo sa second conference (Commissioner’s Cup). Tignan natin. Naguusap pa,” he said.
“Ang pinaguusapan namin schedule, logistics, players. So wala pang konkretong usapan pero tinitignan natin kung magkakaron tayo ng guest team.”
If this pushes through, there’s also a chance the league will allow two imports per team.
This should come as good news for the fans, who have long been clamoring for the PBA to impose such changes after the teams’ little success in the East Asia Super League, where Japan B.League and KBL squads are fielding two reinforcements.
"Baka mag two imports, baka lang. Kaso depende. Pag sumali yung guest team baka mag two imports tayo," the amiable league official said.
Meanwhile, there will be no changes in the Governors’ Cup but the format.
Marcial said teams will be divided into two groups, with four from each group advancing to the crossover quarterfinals.
These changes, approved by the Board of Governors’ in Tuesday’s (June 4) meeting, came as the league prepares for its 50th year celebration in 2025.
“Talagang new look ang gustong gawin ng board. Pasimula sa year 50 natin,” said Marcial.
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad, One Sports Digital)