Stronger, bigger MBA up in 2002

The MBA is confident of the league’s staying power and plans to expand its roster next year.

This was assured yesterday by MBA acting commissioner Butch Antonio when he guested at the weekly Sports Communicators Organization of the Philippines (SCOOP) forum at the Kamayan West Avenue.

Allaying rumors that the league will fold up next year, Antonio bared in the forum that the MBA Board of Directors already met two weeks ago at the residence of chairman Santi Araneta to tackle their strategic planning session for 2002 and beyond.

"We then discussed plans to pursue what we could do to make the MBA a much bigger and stronger league next year," said Antonio who was joined by Socsargen team owner Ben Solon and LBC-Batangas counterpart Dino Araneta.

Antonio also bared that the league plans to bring back its three-phase format for 2002 and efforts to lure back former teams like Metrostars, Iloilo Megavoltz and Pasig back to its fold.

Both Solon and Araneta told sportswriters that they are yet to accept the resignation of former commissioner Gregorio "Ogie" Narvasa II but bared that Antonio will be appointed commissioner.

"The transition was well in place. But as early as now, we are confident that Mr. Antonio will be confirmed as commissioner in the board meeting where we are set to accept Narvasa’s resignation," said Solon.