SEOUL, Korea – Nagkasundo ang The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) at Korean Basketball League (KBL) in principle na magpalitan ng programs, kabilang ang palitan ng players sa layuning palawakin ang fan ng dalawang liga na inaasahang magpapalakas ng kanilang marketing.
Sinubukan nina PBA board chairman Patrick Gregorio at commissioner Chito Salud na magkaroon ng pakikipagkasunduan sa Korean league sa pakikipagpulong kina KBL commissioner Kim Young Ki at secretary general Jae Hon Lee rito noong Huwebes.
“We told them about our plan to invite their player or players for the import-laced third conference. They were impressed, especially when they learned that there are around one million Koreans in the Philippines,” sabi ni Gregorio.
“The KBL officials were so impressed with the idea that they quickly sought to have that too. We reciprocated by saying ‘yes, we’re letting our PBA players play in their league too,’” dagdag ni Gregorio.
Sinabi rin ni PBA board chair na nais ding mag-host ng KBL ng regular PBA game matapos makita ang pagsuporta ng Filipino basketball fans sa Gilas Pilipinas sa Asian Games basketball competition sa Incheon.
“They saw how their team became the virtual guest and Gilas Pilipinas the home team in the Korea-Phl game,” sabi ni Gregorio. “They were quite shocked and surprised to see the passion of the Filipinos here where they saw the Filipinos going to the venues so early to buy tickets tapos sold out na pala. Gusto na rin ngayong targetin ng KBL ang Philippine market matapos malaman na may 400,000 Filipinos sa Korea.
“The concern now is the implementing rules, and we will analyze that well,” sabi ni Gregorio na inimbitahan ang mga KBL officials sa opening ng PBA Season 40 sa Oct. 19 sa Philippine Arena sa Bocaue, Bulacan.
Inaasahang pag-uusapan nila ang detalye ng tie-up pagdating ng mga Koreano sa Pinas kabilang na ang programa ni Gregorio na “Asian integration.”
Bilang panimula sa naturang programa para sa pagpapalawig ng PBA, bubuksan ang liga sa mga Asian players sa Governors Cup kung saan may maximum height ng 6-foot-4 ang maaaring kuning reinforcements. (NB)