PBA match in Jakarta under review

PBA commissioner Noli Eala said plans to hold an official PBA game in Indonesia sometime in December is being re-evaluated following the bomb blast at the Australian embassy in Jakarta a few days back.

Eala expressed concern even as Indonesian Basketball League counterpart Mauro Agus is to make another visit in Manila anytime this week for further talks on PBA’s possible visit in Indonesia.

"The IBL commissioner told me the bomb blast was an isolated case. They’re still looking forward to hosting a PBA game and have tie-ups with us. But the attack (on the Australian embassy) is a big concern that’s why the planned trip is under re-evaluation," said the PBA commissioner.

PBA executive assistant and media bureau chief Willie Marcial said Agus is scheduled to visit Manila today.

Agus had been a PBA visitor before, and Eala, together with Marcial and PBA operations chief Rickie Santos, had also visited Jakarta during the finals of the recent IBL tourney. Incidentally, Filipino coaches Nat Canson and Bong Ramos figured in a battle of wits in that finale.

Eala even offered a coaching clinic to the Indonesians to be conducted by members of the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP) under Chito Narvasa.

Aside from 20 out-of-town games, the coming PBA All-Filipino Conference is to feature three overseas games with one set in Jakarta. The other two overseas venues could be Guam and Taiwan.

Meanwhile, the Red Bull Barako Thunder and the Purefoods Hotdogs are all set to leave for Brunei Friday where they will compete in the fourth Shell Rimula Ultra Invitational basketball tournament or the Sultan Cup.