As the PBA nears its 50th Season, the league targets to become the best sports entertainment not only in the country but also in Asia.
Asia's first play-for-pay league is the most followed sport in the land, and the PBA wants to keep that status, and now looks forward to improving the brand by making the games more exciting and giving in-venue fans an experience that they will never forget.
The PBA wants the crowd to be back in the playing venue even though the league is still the most dominant when it comes to TV ratings.
In the recently-concluded annual planning session of the PBA board of governors, they established pillars on how to attain their goal of showcasing the league to global fans and make it as the No. 1 basketball entertainment league in Asia.
However, chairman Ricky Vargas said that “the challenge is how to execute it.”
The ideas include improving the quality and competitiveness of play, re-establishing the league as the source of best talent for the national team and net exporter of players in Asia. They also want to focus on fan engagement by investing in supplementary business like the construction of an own arena and expanding in CSR (corporate social responsibility) programs.
In addition to making the game more exciting, PBA will introduce a new set of rules in the coming season highlighted by the implementation of the “four-point shot” from beyond a 27-foot arc.
Newly-elected vice chairman Alfranchis Chua said in Filipino, “We have done this in the All-Star Game. With this rule, the zone defense will be lessened, man-to-man will be seen more and the game will be faster.”
The PBA will continue to support the national team program and will embrace the thought that a strong Gilas team will be beneficial to the league and vice versa.
They will also have programs for the fans where they can mingle, interact and engage with their favorite players. Chua said, “Like those in the upper box, they paid a pricey ticket when they entered the venue and all they got to do was wave to the player. I will tell the coaches that they allow players to go near the fans.”
One of the biggest plans for the league is to finally have its own arena in the near future. Commissioner Willie Marcial said, “We’re looking at properties in Metro Manila, about two to three hectares in size. It will materialize soon.” He also added, “And if it happens and the arena will be built, fans will not be confused anymore on where the PBA games will be held.” He ends his statement by saying, “We’re not just remodeling a house but we’re building a house.”
The PBA board ended what most of its members said was their “most tiring, very fruitful” planning session the same day, confident that it has found the formula to stay as the best sports entertainment show back home.
They also elected Raymond Zorilla of Phoenix to another term as treasurer, while Ogie Narvasa, the former PABL commissioner, is now formally onboard as the new board secretary.
Photo: PNA/Joey O. Razon
