PBL prefers ‘23’ over ABC, IBC

PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad said they would likely stick it out with Studio 23 despite offers by ABC 5 and IBC 13 to cover the PBL games.

"Actually hindi pa kasado ang deal namin with Studio 23 but we are now looking into the final terms of the memorandum of agreement (MOA)," said Trinidad. "In fact, we has sent our proposed revisions to the MOA they submitted to us."

ABC 5, now the official TV coveror of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), has sent feelers of its intention to also broadcast the PBL games but the PBL board of directors chaired by Dioceldo Sy of Blustar Detergent did not like the idea of playing second fiddle to the pro league.

"We’ve suspended talks (with Studio 23) when they (ABC 5) sent us feelers last week. We entertained their proposal pero mukhang mahirap dahil second class citizen lang kami sa kanila," said Sy. "Siyempre, PBA ang priority nila."

"Mahirap mag-co-exist with the PBA in one network," Trinidad, for his part, said.

IBC 13, likewise, expressed interest to cover the PBL games. But the PBL board also had reservations in entering into an agreement with the government-sequestered network.

"There’s much interest in the PBL right now because of the success generated by the 2003 Platinum Cup. Pati IBC 13 is showing some interest in broadcasting our games," Trinidad said.